We invite you to an inspiring evening of thought-provoking conversation as we celebrate Sydney Mardi Gras 2025 and explore this year’s theme, "Free To Be".

Our event, Creating Queer Spaces: The Intersection of Place, Belonging, and Community Resilience, will reflect on the role of place in shaping LGBTQIA+ experiences - past, present, and future.

Date: Thursday, 13 February 2025
Arrival: 5:00 pm with refreshments
Event: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: Blue Gum Hall, Yirranma Place, 262 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst, NSW

What to Expect

Storytelling – Uncover the rich history of Darlinghurst and the resilience of its diverse communities.
Keynote Address – Explore the evolution of queer spaces and the importance of place, belonging, and storytelling.
Panel Discussion – Hear from a range of voices on how community spaces continue to shape LGBTQIA+ lives today.
Q&A – Engage with speakers and reflect on the conversation.

This is a free event, and all are welcome. To confirm your attendance, please click the "Get tickets" button to secure your spot!

Speakers

	Dr Madi Day is a proud queer Blak scholar, activist, and researcher whose work intersects identity, representation, and place. With expertise in Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ studies, Madi brings critical perspectives on intersectionality, systemic barriers, and the importance of culturally safe spaces for First Nations queer communities. Their research highlights the power of storytelling, visibility, and grassroots activism in shaping more inclusive and just societies.
	Dr Galina Laurie has had a long career working across state and local government in policy areas including housing and homelessness, DFV prevention, community development and social housing renewal. She has been at PRF since its early days, and has led work related to disaster response and resilience, and community-led systems change. She has a PhD in American literature and is a Churchill Fellow. She lives in the inner west with her wife, a teenage son, two dogs and a cat.
	Jain Moralee joined Twenty10 in 2017 after working in similar executive roles in community and arts organisations in NSW. She has seen the Twenty10 through substantial growth, most recently successfully tendering to be placed as the lead tenant of the newly established Inner West Pride Centre in Newtown (Gadigal / Wangal), which opens for community use in 2025. Jain is a passionate advocate for the rights of young LGBTIQA+ people and is a proud parent to four rescue cats based in Darlinghurst (Gadigal).
	Dr Alana Piper is a social historian specialising in crime, gender, and urban life in Australia. As a Research Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, she explores the lived experiences of marginalised communities and the ways in which social inequality is embedded in historical narratives. Alana is the author of Yirranma Place, which delves into the history of the site and its role as a gathering space for those often overlooked by society. Her storytelling will provide a rich historical lens on the themes of place, belonging, and resilience in Darlinghurst.
	Em Scott is the CEO of Rainbow Giving Australia, a national foundation for Australia's LGBTQIA+ communities formed from the merger of GiveOUT and Aurora. This year, she will undertake a Churchill Fellowship to investigate global philanthropy strategies to improve outcomes for LGBTQIA+ Australians. She is the former CEO and Board Director of Out for Australia, with 10 years of experience as a health and human services management consultant including at Nous Group. She is an admitted lawyer and MBA graduate from AGSM @ UNSW Business School.
	Michael Woodhouse has been an executive leader in health and human services for over 20 years including roles in both the government and not for profit sector. He has a strong interest in community led services and programs and in better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Michael has experience in primary health care, disability support, aged care, child and family services and inclusion strategies. Michael has been involved in many LGBTQ+ community organisations including a time as Co-Chair of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. He was added to the Mardi Gras Hall of Fame in 2023. Michael was appointed as CEO of ACON in September 2024.

Have a question? Contact us at hello@yirranmaplace.com

We look forward to sharing this inspiring journey with you.

- Yirranma Place

Image Copyright Acknowledgement: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales and Courtesy SEARCH Foundation