ASRC Marches in Pride with LGBTQIA+ Communities

Last Sunday ASRC staff, volunteers and friends once again came together to march in the annual Midsumma Pride March along Fitzroy Street in St Kilda. Dressed in vibrant purple ASRC Pride T-shirts and waving rainbow flags, our spirited group danced and strutted its way down the street to the pulse of the music, celebrating belonging, diversity and the freedom of all gender expressions and sexualities. Our presence carried a message that matters deeply to us: the intersection between queer identity and the experience of people seeking asylum.

As we made our way along the route, the energy of the crowd was electric. Many of the spectators lining the street recognised ASRC and welcomed us with loud cheers. The sense of recognition and solidarity was both moving and energising, reinforcing why visibility at events like Pride is so important. Tash, an ASRC staff member who marched said “It was amazing to see so many people turn out to cheer for and celebrate our community.”

The march began, as per tradition, with the roaring motors of the Dykes on Bikes, followed by the Rainbow Mob and LGBTQIA+ youth contingents. Together, these groups set the tone for a parade rooted in resistance and joy.

In a world where only short years have passed since the victorious march of marriage equality across the globe, the rights of queer communities remain or find themselves again under threat in too many parts of the world, and trans rights in particular have faced alarming setbacks. Against this backdrop, the collective solidarity on display at Midsumma Pride March felt much needed and welcome. As one of our marchers, Tia, shared, “the Pride March was a powerful reminder of the love, joy and belonging in our communities. Sharing in the music, colour and collective joy. Pride was really special.”

Above all, the march was a celebration, but it also honoured Pride’s activist roots. Chants calling for equity and justice echoed through the parade, reminding us that Pride is both a celebration of how far we’ve come and a commitment to the work still ahead.