It was a big weekend for JOY Breakfasts dynamic duo, as Rach went and saw PINK Live in concert in Melbourne and Dean headed to Sydney and checked out the opening of Australia’s first LGBTQI+ Museum, Qtopia Sydney.

They give us the low down on their big weekend.

When Rach & Dean found out about Canberra’s rainbow roundabout getting a facelift to feature the inclusive pride flag colours, they went into a deep dive about the ACT, and reached out to Sue Webeck, who is part of the Ministerial Advisory Council for LGBTQIA+ issues in Canberra.

Sue has plenty to say about other ways in which the great Capital of Australia could be more inclusive to the community and is also the CEO of the Domestic Violence Crisis Service + she is an LGBTIQA+ community advocate as well as a passionate violence prevention and respectful relationships educator

If you or anyone you know feels they may be experiencing domestic violence and want to reach out to someone, you can find more details at Safe Always, which provides LGBTIQA+ specific Family Violence services.

This morning on JOY, Rach and Dean dived into the pettiest thing you’ve ever done when it comes to revenge, and Gossip Gay Joel King-Mayne fell down a rabbit hole of revenge stories in the celeb world.

We all have a story to tell… what’s yours?

Singer/songwriter Emma Yue has released a brand new song titled ‘Lonely Lover’ which is just that, a vulnerable peek inside her soul.

In all her music Emma pairs her personal experiences with themes of self-identity, sex, relationships, and mental health perfectly fused with genre-blending indie, pop rock, and punk sounds.

Emma joins Rach & Dean for a JOY Breakfast Live Lounge and they honestly couldn’t wait to have her join them.

When it comes to saving money, we all have creative ways of keeping costs down.

Rach & Dean decided to find out by putting the call out for the creative ways that you have curbed your spending.

Fair Day is always an amazing start to Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, but with the news that to wouldn’t go ahead for 2024 because of asbestos mulch in the park, Rach & Dean decided to find out how the community pivoted to  still start the festival with community, flare and fun.

They chat with Adam from Points of Difference Travel and Events, Bella from Harlem Starlet, Kevin from Emerald City Kickball and Michael from Sydney Gay and Irish.

Cris Stevens-Todd joins Rach & Dean to let them know what fab events are coming to Regional Victoria.

With Echuca Moama Pride & Ballarat Frolic Festival just around the corner, there is plenty!

Echuca

Event

Echuca Moama Pride Brunch – Coffee catch up

Details 

FREE EVENT !

A monthly informal catch up to connect LGBTIQA+ community and allies with each other in a safe and inclusive space. An inviting and welcoming group.

Come and say “Hi” over a snack and a beverage with some of our LGBTQIA+ community.

ACCESSIBILITY: Full, ground level no stairs, all gender bathrooms available.

FOOD & DRINK: Available for purchase at the venue

Date

Thursday 22 Feb 2024

Time

10am till 12noon (come and go as you please)

Location

Fuzion Café, 258 Pakenham Street, Echuca VIC 3564

FB Link 

https://fb.me/e/1SPbikRTG

 

Ballarat 

Event

Ballarat Frolic Festival – some events listed below 

Date

22 Feb – 25 Feb 2024

Location

Ballarat – see website for event details

FB Link 

https://www.facebook.com/FrolicBallarat/events 

Website 

https://www.frolicfestival.org/?fbclid=IwAR28C6Nxqxuz8Wc-YgTrti6Ki6-RM7rJsRCgZpvbGj1argRmhe3PRLG_zPo 

 

Event

Frolic Cabaret

Details

Always a crowd favourite, Frolic Cabaret is back!✨🎉🏳️‍🌈

Join us at Piano Bar Ballarat for an unforgettable night of mischief and mayhem. This event always sells out, so get your tickets fast.🎟️🏳️‍🌈

Join your host Ruby Slippers 👠 as well as a fabulous line up of local and out of town talent for a night you won’t forget!

Important Information:⚠️

The ticket price is $39 per person and is payable at time of booking.

Doors will open at 7pm.

The performance is scheduled to start between 7:30 and 8pm

The Piano Bar kitchen will be available from 7pm to 8:30pm the menu can be found at pianobar.com.au/ballarattapas 🌮

Tables will be held until 7:30pm at the latest.

Seating is allocated so please let Piano Bar know in the ticket notes if you have multiple bookings wanting to sit together. 👬👭

Cost: $39

Tickets: https://bit.ly/SummerFrolicCabaret For further information, contact: [email protected]

Date

Thursday 22nd Feb 2024

Location

Piano Bar Ballarat

Time

7:00pm  

FB Link 

https://fb.me/e/37iT18yDz 

 

 

Event

The Nomads Bushwalk 

Details

Enjoy a walk with The Nomads Outdoors Group through beautiful Ballarat parks between Wendouree Station and central Ballarat, explore some fascinating Australian history, and join the Ballarat Frolic Festival Summer Picnic, not far from Ballarat Station.

This will be a moderate 10 km point-to-point walk with public transport connections at each end. The timing of the event will enable easy public transport access to and from Melb...

Last year when Rach & Dean spoke to Stella from Queer Sporting Alliance (Australia and New Zealand’s premier LGBTIQA+ sporting club and the largest queer community sporting club that you’ve probably never even heard of) it was for the launch of QLeague, Australia’s first community basketball league led by and built for queer folk.

Since then QLeague has been nothing but net when it comes to inclusion and accessibility, with a basketball tournament at the start of the year in Melbourne that will cross the Bass Straight this weekend and shoot hoops in Tasmania for TasPride.

So what does it take to hit the court or come along and support this inclusive basketball division?

You can find out here.

Calling all kings, queens and everything inbetween.

Gold Coast Pride Festival may not be taking place for a few months, but with the festival growing this year they are putting the call out RIGHT NOW for Drag performers to step up to compete in the Festival Drag Pageant for 2024.

Vince from Gold Coast Pride joined Rach and Dean on JOY Breakfast as they find out how the new format of this years competition is going to work, and what it takes to through your wig into the ring!

Find out more here.

Twenty seven years ago, Chillout Festival began as a great way to chill out and take it easy after a massive Mardi Gras weekend in Sydney in Victoria’s spa country. But over nearly thirty years it has grown into Australia’s premier regional LGBTQIA+ pride event.

Taking over Daylesford during the Labour Day long weekend in March, it now brings thousands of visitors to the region with a host of events, big name acts, celebrations and more.

It’s less than a month away and Jacqui from Chillout joins Rach & Dean on JOY Breakfast to give them a taste of what’s in store for this year’s pride filled long weekend.

Check out the full Chillout program and how you can be a part of the fun here.