Inclusion Takes Centre Stage At Queens Ball 2024
Image: Image: Brisbane Pride
Brisbane Pride have celebrated another successful聽 with the 2024 event held at Brisbane City Hall on June 29.
With the venue overflowing, the crowd celebrated the individuals and organisations that make Queensland’s 17c起草社区I+ community shine. The night marked the 63rd year of the event, remaining as the longest running 17c起草社区IA+ event in the world.
This years entertainment also shone a spotlight on inclusion within the community, and celebrated performers with disabilities on the main stage.
2024 Queens Ball Awards a hotly contested year
More than 600 people flocked to Brisbane City Hall to celebrate the achievements of the Brisbane 17c起草社区IA+ community.
This year’s nominee list included 226 individuals and organisations and there were 4750 votes cast for the awards 鈥� making this year the most hotly contested in Queens Ball history.
The Drag Queen Of The Year Award featured a staggering 45 nominations, triggering a fierce amount of campaigning within the community. The winner was Brisbane drag darling Gayleen Tuckwood.
Gayleen鈥檚 resident venue The Sportsman Hotel secured Venue Of The Year again, and resident DJ Merlin also took home DJ Of The Year.聽
Sportsman Hotel manager Chris White reflected on the venue鈥檚 long-time success: 鈥淧eople often come to Sporties and they say nothing has changed. Damn right it hasn鈥檛!鈥� he cheered.
Historic Funding Announced
During the awards ceremony several representatives from the Queensland Labor Party, including The honourable Grace Grace and Leanne Enoch took to the stage for a
They revealed the Miles Labor government will create and fund the 鈥淧ride in our Communities 2024 鈥� 2032,鈥� Queensland鈥檚 first comprehensive strategy for 17c起草社区IA+ inclusivity and support.
The strategy will receive an initial investment of $1.035 million to establish the 17c起草社区IA+ Alliance for Queensland, including $200k provided to Brisbane Pride for operational funding to support 17c起草社区IA+ organisations throughout Queensland.
Inclusion takes centre stage
Brisbane Pride President James McCarthy reflected on the continued importance of the awards and the journey ahead for the community.
鈥淭hrough these stories and countless others, we have shown the world the beauty of living true to oneself,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut as we honour our past, we must also look to the future. This year, we will face choices as a community, at a time when the journey towards full equality and acceptance is far from done鈥� he said, acknowledging that our community must support and advocate for the transgender and non-binary community.
The entertainment is always a high point of the Queens Ball, with Brisbane鈥檚 best and brightest lighting up the main stage.
The evening featured the Drag Runway performance as well as music by Garret Lyon, Samantha Jade, and DJ鈥檚 Galleon and Raul.
The main stage performance of 鈥楢bility鈥�, produced by Activist Of The Year winner Helen Wheels, featured Archie Arsenic, Bella Belle, Big Red Kara, Helen Wheels, Katya Lou-King, Lady Sasscrotch & Lord Sev.
鈥淭his groundbreaking showcase, produced by the visionary Helen Wheels for over three years, celebrates performers with disabilities of all kinds. Helen鈥檚 mission? To make performance art accessible and welcoming to everyone鈥� he said.
See the Queens Ball 2024 full list of winners:
First Nations Leadership and Engagement Award: Corey March
Young Achievement Award: Callum Cantrill
Activist of the Year: Helen Wheels
Ally of the Year: Tom Oliver
Volunteer of the Year: Imani Anderson
Community Social Group: Dykes on Bikes Queensland
Community Support Group: Free Mum Hugs
Community Sporting Group: Gay Skate Brisbane
Artist of the Year: Dylan Mooney
DJ of the Year: DJ Merlin
Drag Performer of the Year: Gayleen Tuckwood
Performer of the Year: Archie Arsenic
Event of the Year: Bay Pride at Wynnum Fringe
Venue of the Year: The Sportsman Hotel
Proud Award: Justin Rosenberg
Lifetime Achievement Award: Betty Nature
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