The 2012 Brisbane Pride Festival is exploding with exciting events. Which of them will you be checking out?

This year has seen many changes to the festival – for its 13th anniversary year, one of the most dramatic changes has seen the festival move to the warmer month of September. It all kicks off this Friday.

The Brisbane Pride Festival started in 1990, to organise and promote events that contributed to our diverse queer culture. Since its first event which saw a rally and march ending with a small gathering at Musgrave Park, Brisbane Pride has since grown to become the third-largest LGBTIQ event in Australia, attracting more then 50,000 attendees over a four-week period.

A celebration of LGBTIQ culture through the arts, community, sporting and political events, the festival also pays tribute to the paths trodden before, celebrating our colourful history.

Each year, several participants of Brisbane’s Pride March carry with them what is probably the largest rainbow flag in Australia.

Flying our rainbow flag is important to us. In 2003 (on the 25th anniversary of the Rainbow Flag), its original creator Gilbert Baker brought with him a massive flag in its original eight colours that was paraded down the streets for the Key West Pride Celebrations. Shown below, it stretched out for approximately one and half kilometres. After the parade, that flag was cut into 150 pieces and sent to cities around the world.

Brisbane Pride Festival is the only organisation in Australia to have received a piece of this historic flag…

This year’s festival pays host to a variety of events for all members of the LGBTIQ community. Below, we’ve have picked a just a few must-attend events, but I’m sure each of you will find many others to check out and join in this year’s Pride festivities.

Black & White: Pride Festival Gala Launch

Celebrate the opening of the 2012 Brisbane Pride Festival with its official launch party at the Mirra in Fortitude Valley on Friday 31st of August. The night will be hosted by Brisbane’s well known and talented Miss Synthetique with music by Jules Woo. Tickets are $80 per person which includes a 3-hour beverage and canape package. Come along and celebrate the launch in style with some of Brisbane’s well known faces of the LGBTIQ community.

Rebel With A Cause – Iain Clacher (1965 – 2009)

A tribute a few years in the making. Rebel With A Cause is a memorial exhibition that is sure to touch a few hearts within our community. Iain Clacher (aka Mister Iddles) was editor of Queensland Pride for nine years until his death from a heart attack in January 2009.

Through his journalism and photography, Iain repeatedly put the message out there that it’s okay to be different, while inspiring everyone who had the privilege to cross paths with him. From the 1st to the 10th of September his photography will be projected onto the windows of the Judith Wright Centre, once again showing Iain’s vision to the general public as many take a moment to remember a person who not only lived life of the wild side but inspired everyone he met.

He’s remembered as an editor, photographer, and musician. A man who was intrigued by the different, the gothic and what lies beneath life’s exterior. Discover or remember his work in this projected exhibition of photography.

PRIDE – the art show

In partnership with Andrew Costi, Pride is proud to present its very first art show at The Arts Factory Gallery in South Brisbane. Showcase artworks by some of Brisbane’s talented amateur artists, this exhibition explores the various emotions and experiences they have had within the GLBTI community. Think of it as an exhibition full of stories and passion (and as some are saying from previews, an alarming use of the colour pink). The opening happens on the 7th of September at 6:30 pm and the exhibition will run until the 12.

Pride Rally & March and Fair Day

Sunday September 16 is by far one of the biggest days of the festival, starting with the Pride Rally outside The Wickham at 9:30 am. The rally is a chance to hear leaders of our LGBTIQ community talk about our history, hopes, dreams and rights, while sending a strong message to the government that we not be pushed back in in the closet.

Here’s our photos from last year’s Pride March:

The rally will be followed by the Pride March, down to the biggest event of the festival, the annual Pride Fair Day at Perry Park. This year’s Fair Day will see more market and community stalls, and entertainment ranging from musicians to choirs and some of Brisbane’s best drag queens. Pride Fair Day is an event for everyone – tickets are free for Pride Festival Members, $17 for full price and $14 for concession.

Pink Pub Prowl

On Saturday 15th September the annual Pink Pub Prowl returns! A raucous and camp romp around the suburbs, it’s been going so long some would say it’s become a Brisbane institution!

Climb on board the bus at The Sportsman hotel and tour around Brisbane’s top gay and gay friendly venues. The Pink Pub Prowl runs from 1pm to 5pm and tickets are $30 or $25 for Pride members.

TBar gets Bent!

On the 8th of September, get a little kinky with the crew from Tbar. In support of leather Pride, they’re throwing one heck of an an inclusive bent fetish party. TBar is for the queer at heart and for all the LGBTIQ letters of the rainbow. The night will feature DJ Master Sergeant, DJ Amozon Worrior and shows by the Xtreme Miss Red and her new musical duo, The Bauple Fairy Bitches. There’s also Krave Kink, door prizes and more! The party will take place at St. Pauls Tavern in Springhill kicking off at 8pm. Tickets are $15.

Now that is just some of the main events! With numerous workshops, and activities such as The Official Pride Festival Afterparty, Brisbears Pre Pride Party Den Night, The History of Marriage Equality night, The Purchas Cup Rugby Tournament, Star Gayzers – Saturday Night Live and much more, there’s bound to be something for everyone.

For a full list of what’s happening at this year’s Brisbane Pride Festival click here to visit its official website.