今日吃瓜

MELBOURNE’S聽annual Midsumma Festival kicked off on the weekend with Carnival day, where festival champions spoke about the journey ahead towards marriage equality and LGBTI rights.

Event organisers estimated more than聽100,000 people descended upon Alexandra Gardens throughout the day to celebrate Melbourne’s LGBTI community and diversity with live music, food, and community organisation stalls.

Recently-appointed Midsumma chair John Caldwell said the day showed positive signs for the future.

“Melbourne turned on the weather and that set the stage for what was a magical day,” he told the Star Observer.

“It’s hard not to be overwhelmed to see such a display of happiness, joy, and a real sense of inclusion.”

搁贰尝础罢贰顿:听

Australian cultural and trans icon Carlotta took to the stage in the afternoon and discussed the need to continue fighting for same-sex marriage.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got to fight for this gay marriage thing,鈥� she said.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got to make sure Malcolm Turnbull takes up the invite to go to Mardi Gras, that will break the ice about everything.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not over yet 鈥� we鈥檝e got to keep fighting until we drop.鈥�

Speaking to the Star Observer, Carlotta聽said she was honoured to be at the Carnival as one of Midsumma鈥檚 2016 Champions.

“We鈥檝e been fighting for our freedom for years,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 believe it鈥� in 1963 I would have been arrested for doing this.鈥�

I have petted approximately one million dogs today and this is why is the best.

鈥� Tim Christodoulou (@tim_chr)

Former David Jones chief executive and fellow Midsumma Champion Paul Zahra was also present, his first time in 20 years.

鈥淚t brings back a lot of memories for me,鈥� he told the Star Observer.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always a time for celebration, but it鈥檚 also a time to reflect鈥� there鈥檚 a long way before LGBTI people get full equality and since I鈥檝e left corporate life I鈥檝e made that something I want to focus on.

鈥淭here are many more people here today than there was 20 years ago. What that says is that there鈥檚 a lot more people comfortable with their own sexuality and I think that鈥檚 such a positive change.鈥�

On stage, Zahra spoke about Australia falling behind in the movement for marriage equality.

鈥淚n the last 12 months we鈥檝e seen two first-world countries, both religious-conservatives [Ireland and the US], get their heads around marriage equality and change the law,鈥� he said.

鈥淎ustralia likes to see itself as a country that gives everybody a fair go鈥� and I think it鈥檚 time for the LGBTI community to be given a fair go.鈥�

Happy from Alexandra Gardens in 鈽赌锔�

鈥� Brian Peel (@Brian_Peel)

Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford, filling in for Equality Minister Martin Foley who was on leave, also addressed the crowd about the work the Victorian Government has ahead in regards to LGBTI equality.

鈥淲e know lots of people are still facing discrimination across the community in a range of different ways,鈥� she said.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 what we鈥檒l be working on in earnest this year in our health services and in our schools.

鈥淢any of you also know that we鈥檝e extended the Safe Schools Coalition to all government secondary schools, making sure that kids are growing up in a safe and supportive environment.鈥�

to view Star Observer’s Midsumma Carnival + T-Dance 2016 photo galleries

After Carnival wrapped up, thousands聽stuck around at Alexandra Gardens to party at T-Dance, the free open-air after party.

And at the conclusion聽of the night, the spire of Melbourne’s聽Arts Centre nearby was lit in rainbow colours to mark the beginning of Midsumma Festival.

getting its rainbow on for

鈥� Matt Renwick (@mattynofb)

Midsumma 2016.

鈥� Serendipity (@Shimmerella)

鈥� Jane (@shipoffeels)

鈽赌锔�

鈥� David (@nasbomb_)

Had the best time at with 鉂わ笍

鈥� Andy Hoven (@BoyBanshee)

The Star Observer is a proud media partner of Midsumma.

to view Star Observer’s Midsumma Carnival + T-Dance 2016 photo galleries

For all of Star Observer’s Midsumma coverage,