Pride Month
June was also national Pride month, celebrating the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, and the value the community brings to the world. Housing Choices is an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community which includes many of our residents and staff. Community Development and Engagement Officer Alex writes that Pride is a personal and beautiful thing. "To me, it’s a time of reflection and joy. With every passing year, I feel I’m getting closer to the person I wish to be." What does Pride mean to you?
Queer singer, drag performer and Housing Choices resident Ivan lives in an apartment within an LGBTQIA+ friendly community in Melbourne’s inner north. Ivan spoke with Housing Choices about making the apartment feel his own. He also shared an empowering message for queer youth. “When I came to be in this apartment, I had furniture, but very minimal,” he said. “I was gifted and collected bits and pieces along the way. I’ve made it my own in the sense from using materials such as tarp cloth and I’ve put my personality into it.” Ivan has decorated the one-bedroom apartment with colourful artworks, an abundance of greenery and meaningful trinkets. Ivan’s pride
“My artwork is based on modern art to interpretations of certain things, images I find really interesting.” He said after years in private and unaffordable housing, he was enjoying the benefits of living in a queer community with like-minded people. “You have lots of people from trans to gays to lesbians. So at least there’s a common thread where we can all meet up. Ivan’s hope was that young members of the queer community could embrace their differences and live their most authentic lives. “Don’t be frightened, you know? It’s a scary world that we live in but you have to like stand up and say I can do
To find out more about Pride month and LGBTQIA+ festivals in Victoria, go to the Australian Pride Network or Pride Centre websites australianpridenetwork.com.au
pridecentre.org.au
this and be proud of what you’re doing.”
pridecentre.org.au /events/ category/pride-month-2024/
Right: Ivan showing one of his many performance outfits.
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