Reformed Mormon missionary Brad Harker speaks his truth about his religious upbringing, the struggle to come out at 42, fighting for marriage equality and finding love and acceptance within the community.

Tobias Madden is an author and editor from Sydney, Australia. His debut young adult fiction novel, ANYTHING BUT FINE, is out now in Australia at https://www.thebookshop.com.au/new-forthcoming/new-releases/anything-but-fine/ New Zealand at https://www.penguin.co.nz/books/anything-but-fine-9781761042027  USA  at https://www.amazon.com His second novel, TAKE A BOW, NOAH MITCHELL, is coming to Aus/NZ 30 August 2022 and the US in 2023.​ Originally from Ballarat, Tobias worked for ten years as a performer, touring Australia and New Zealand with musicals such as Mary Poppins, CATS, Singin' in the Rain, and Guys and Dolls. In 2019, he edited and published UNDERDOG, the first #LoveOzYA short story anthology for previously unpublished Aussie young adult fiction writers. Also in 2019, he wrote the cabaret show Siblingship, which played to sold out audiences in Sydney, Melbourne, and Canberra. Tobias is a passionate member of the #LoveOzYA and LGBTQ+ communities.

Andrew Mercado has been named one of TV’s most significant commentators while The Sunday Telegraph describes him as a walking TV encyclopedia. Andrew Mercado developed a love of TV and movies early on in his youth while spending every Saturday night hanging out with the projectionist at his local suburban picture theatre. His first job in television was a Village Roadshow Movie World Studios as Location Manager for the series Paradise Beach. Following this, he became the Unit Publicist for such TV shows as The New Adventures of Flipper and Pacific Drive. Shortly after becoming the publicist at Foxtel music station Channel [V], he was moved into an on-air role. Andrew Mercado is now fondly remembered by a generation of music fans as Super Mercado after becoming Channel [V]’s inaugural entertainment reporter in 1998. Later, he became the first VJ on sister channel Music Max. Whilst he would work simultaneously on both stations, eventually he crossed over to Max full time to create, produce and host the panel show The Know. Over the years he has interviewed such A-listers as Robbie Williams, but he also has loved meeting Aussie TV legends through his work as a TV Historian for the National Film and Sound Archive. Andrew also released a top selling  book call Super Aussie Soaps: Behind the Scenes of Australia's Best Loved TV Shows, available now from Booktopia https://www.booktopia.com.au/super-aussie-soaps-behind-the-scenes-of-australia-s-best-loved-tv-shows-andrew-mercado/book/9781864031911.html Andrew newest passion project he is working on call outrageous, a documentary taking a walk back in  time when Australian TV once led the world with diversity and queer representation on screen. Fine out more at https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/outrageous-the-history-of-aussie-queer-tv/

Lee – Ann  is a proud Awabakal woman who grew up in Newcastle and has had extensive experiences in the LGBTQIA+ community, beginning as a Committee member of Rainbow Visions Inc committee from 2004 – 2010. Lee was involved in a number of significant community projects, amongst many, creating “Mixed fruits in suits” and the annual Winter Ball held at the Newcastle City Hall. Lee passionately believes in equality for all and that Pride groups, safe spaces, festivals and events are vital in regional and rural areas for all LGBTQIA+ people and for the future of our youth. In March 2018 it became clear to Lee there was a lack of venues, safe spaces and events in the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the Hunter for the LGBTQIA+ community, leaving people feeling socially isolated and unsupported. Lee felt it was the right time to launch Newcastle Pride, https://newcastlepride.com.au/  to provide our community with a sense of belonging and safe inclusive spaces to celebrate equality, diversity and our fabulous culture. Newcastle Pride welcomes everyone who has a genuine interest in ensuring that everyone is treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status and their own individuality. https://newcastlepride.com.au/newcastle-pride-festival-2022/   THE NEWCASTLE PRIDE COMMUNITY HUB PROPOSAL The Community Hub would be a place that brings people together as a connector and would act as a point of reference for people within the area. The Hub would be a fun, safe and inclusive space for gender and sexuality diverse people of all ages and backgrounds. A place where everyone can express themselves without fear or judgement. It would be a space where health and wellbeing services would be readily available. Queer-friendly support workers and education resources would be within reach and would offer support services in a confidential, welcoming, encouraging and supportive space. The Community Hub would also provide the Newcastle and wider Hunter LGBTIQA+ community with a new level of accessibility to Newcastle Pride as an organisation. The Hub would also allow Newcastle Pride the room to continue to grow, connect and collaborate with relevant partners and community organisations (like ACON Hunter and Headspace Newcastle), with increased visibility in the local community. St Kilda. Melbourne is the location of the Victorian Pride Centre link blow. https://pridecentre.org.au/   ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY The Awabakal and Worimi peoples are acknowledged by LGBTI conversations as the Traditional Custodians of the land and waters situated within the Newcastle local government area, including wetlands, rivers creeks and coastal environments. It is known that their heritage and cultural ties to Newcastle date back tens of thousands of years.

As Sydney’s only Lebanese, lesbian, ex-Jehovah’s Witness, comedian, Naomi Mourra grew up as a door-knocking Jehovah’s Witness and closeted lesbian to Lebanese parents in the 1980s in Cabramatta, Sydney, Australia.  Naomi is your gateway woman to chicks, chickpeas, cults and culture.  Her solo shows, An Open Book, debuted in 2018. An Open Book, Naomi explores her own anecdotes as well as some of the Biblical stories you may (or may not) know and what lessons our modern world can learn from them. Like why you shouldn’t turn around, why seeds must never be spilled and why it’s really important to be articulate in a registry office. She’s been around the block a few times and knows that when opportunity comes knocking, sometimes it’s best to pretend you’re not home and that for every door that closes another also closes. “Laughed out loud! It was like someone holding up a mirror - which they so rarely do!” - God Naomi who has performed in London and Sydney. She is the co-founder and co-producer of What She Said, the only weekly all women's comedy night in Sydney. She is also in the improv troupe Shut Up Darryl, and has performed at The Factory Theatre and the Belvoir. She has trained at LMA and Second City Chicago. Naomi NEXT show Work Hacks From The Holy Book is at the Factory Theatre, Marrickville part of the Sydney Fringe Comedy Festival 2022. Dates are Wednesday 14 and Friday 16 September 2022 @7pm Buy tickets from https://aucentury.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/76531 https://www.instagram.com/naomimourra/

Shannon Molloy is an award-winning journalist and author with more than a decade of experience working for major media outlets spanning print, digital and publishing. Shannon is the 2020 recipient of Journalist of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards. His debut book Fourteen, a memoir about growing up gay in regional Queensland, is a critically acclaimed bestseller that is now being adapted for the screen. Fourteen is this generation’s Holding the Man – a moving coming-of-age story. Shannon also contributes to various charity organisations, including as convenor of the annual Clare Atkinson Memorial Scholarship for journalism at The University of Queensland. Fourteen is showing at QPAC Brisbane.  Grab tickets now - they’re selling fast! https://qpac.com.au/event/bf_shake_stir_fourteen_22/ Fourteen the book now available @ Darlinghurst bookshop 15% off limited time. httphttps://www.thebookshop.com.au/books/gay-men/life-stories/memoirs/fourteen/   Shannon Molloy @ http://www.shannonmolloy.com/ If this story has raise any questions for you, please remember help is available 24/7 anonymous and free peer support service for people wanting to talk about sexuality, gender, bodies and all sorts of queer stuff.   www.qlife.org.au

We all know Carla from Bankstown as the sassy Queen of social media, TikTok influencer, star of Celebrity Apprentice and the comedic personal assistant of NSW Premiere Gladys Berejiklian but now meet the very talanted man behind the character, Benjahmin James who is also equally as fasinating.

Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell’s journey began in an antiques shop in Dallas when they discovered a photograph of two men, unmistakably in love. Nini and Treadwell saw themselves in the two men in the photograph and were filled with so many questions about who they were. Neither of them expected that this photograph would become the first of a 2,800-image collection and that they would publish their own book, “Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850-1950”

Our next guest coming of age story began in the late 1960’s in the steel city of Newcastle NSW, where Glenda Jackson first walked on stage in drag. Glenda has worked alongside other drag legends over time like Bubbles Le Gay and Carlotta to name just a few. Who would have guessed that a city that was built on coal and steel would have such a thriving drag scene, the queens of today would have been envious of all that was going what was happening decades ago.   Glenda, now in her 70’s has not slowdown with age, just like a good bottle of wine that just keep getting better with age, she still can be seen hosting BIG BALLS bingo at her local Carrington Bowling Club every week.

Tucker Shaw is an author and editor who first found his own gay tribe in New York City's East Village during the 1990’s.  In 2018 Tucker overheard a young man on his way home from work talking about the AIDS crisis. The nearby voice proposed how that era “galvanized the gay community” and “had spurred change”. He added that it had “paved the way to make things better, in the long run”. Tucker published his thoughts in a Twitter thread that went on to get over 80,000 retweets.  Tucker Shaw’s most recent novel, When You Call My Name is a heartfelt story about two gay teens coming of age in New York City at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It was named "this summer's most powerful LGBTQ+ novel" by GAY TIMES. When You Call My Name is available now at  Tucker Shaw.com Darlinghurst BookShop AU Gay'sThe Word UK

Danica now describes herself as Bi gender and discovered her sexuality whilst growing up in a remote town with a population of less than 400 people. Her first same sex relationship blossomed during her senior year of school but she was shortly outed and experiencing regular panic attacks. Together the pair escaped to Melbourne but as time goes by Danica felt terrified and bedridden, without a roof over her head, until a beginner course in yoga changed her life. Being able to practise and later teach yoga for twenty years improved Danica’s wellbeing and empowered others to feel good through through movement, tantra and dance. @ youtube @ LGBTI Yoga danicalani.com & Instagram & Facebook Danica went on to coach Kings of Joy, a performance group to support first time Drag Kings and has helped shape a bi-monthly event to celebrate the Trans and gender-diverse community. @ kings-of-joy The story of how Lucretia - a transgender refugee living in Kakuma refugee camp Block 13 - found Queers of Joy on the internet and connected with them. Now Queers of Joy is running regular events to raise money to help the members of  Block 13 fight for their freedom and to help them find asylum in a safe country. @ instagram

Ken Felts  a ninety-year-old gay man who had never come to terms with his gift of homosexuality. Born in 1930 during the great depression, he grew up first in a small Western Kansas town and was indoctrinated into a somewhat, fundamental Christian church. After his first male-to-male sexual experience, the influence of the church teachings to which he had been exposed forced him to internalize his homosexuality, and most of his life was spent as a straight-acting, closeted homosexual. He eventually "outed" himself to his daughter and then the world. The Book My Handful of Stars" chronicles now available at Amazon

Harry Cook is a British-Australian actor and author, best known for his roles in Accidents Happen alongside Geena Davis & the Australian thriller Caught Inside to name a few. It was his role in Drown that earned him a Best Supporting Actor Award at the FilmOut San Diego Film Festival in 2015. In September 2018, Cook's debut memoir Pink Ink Pink Ink was released, followed by his worldwide debut young adult novel, Fin Rye Fireflies, In 2021, Harry released his highly anticipated second novel, Felix Silver Teaspoons Witches. follow harry Cook @ instagram

Kate studied law and began her career in various legal roles including a one year appointment as Associate to Supreme Court Justice Steven Bailey (NT), and legal positions at Maddocks, Buchanan Group, and Port of Melbourne Corp. While completing a Master in Business Administration, Kate lectured at University of Melbourne and was a director of mid summa Festival for just over three years. From there, her career pivoted into corporate leadership and she held a NSW Government position as project director for its Future Transport project. This was followed by roles as Partner for Aurecon (NSW and Victoria) and then Head of Change and Communications, Better Risk Outcomes Program with Commonwealth Bank. Kate was co-chair of the SGLMG board before stepping down to head up Sydney WorldPride. Her devotion to the LGBTIQ community is equalled only by the value she brings to it. Kate has been volunteering for LGBTIQ+ organisations for over 20 years. An outstanding leader, creative thinker, tireless worker, and compassionate human being.

Ben Graetz AKA Miss Ellaneous is a descendant of the Iwaidja and Malak Malak clans in the Northern Territory and of Badu Island in the Torres Strait, with over 20 years of creative practice spanning both First Nations and LGBTIQA+ identities. Recent career highlights include Artistic Direction of the Arafura Games ceremonies, Creative Producing independently and for companies including ILBIJERRI Theatre and founding with collaborator Marzi Panne PARTY PASSPORT: a LGBTIQA+ and First Nations event production house with diversity and inclusion, fun and fabulousness at its heart.  Ben has a strong knowledge of the arts in Australia and networks extending across oceans to First Nations practitioners in Aoteara (New Zealand), Turtle Island (North America) and Taiwan. He is the founder of Darwin’s First Nations festival GARRMALANG and has been instrumental in the organisation and profile raising of Darwin Pride. The first four shows that are a part of Marri Madung Butbut (Many Brave Hearts) The First Nations Gathering Space for Sydney WoldPride 2023 are on sale now.

Sexy Galexy began her career performing in drag shows and events around her home city of Perth during the 90’s golden age of lesbian and drag king culture before following the bright lights to Sydney to appear in her weekly shows alongside DJ Sveti at Kingki Kingdom. Sexy Galexy has performed in drag shows and pride festivals in Europe and North Americas and the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and featured as a TV host to cover the Mardi Gras Parade for QueerTV  Sexy Galexy stared in "Manliness: The Angle of My Dangle" and "Manliness Mansion", which was performed at festivals including Melbourne International Comedy Festival and Perth Fringe World and continue to fly the flag for aspiring drag kings around the world.   Don’t forget to checkout Behind the Zip , Pride Amplified (FOXY) & Chuffed all part of Sydney world pride 2023.

Braeden Rhys AKA  KARA ZMATIQ is the iconic Live-Singing Drag Queen of Australia, best known for their stellar performances on Australia's Got Talent and appearances on Radio, Feature Films and Reality Television. ​. ​ A serendipitous night out at Sydney's Iconic Drag Club, Stonewall Hotel Sydney, took Braeden from being led by prayer, to being on his knees for a whole new reason, embracing his sexuality and newfound identity and alter-ego Kara Zmatiq. ​ Sure, lip-syncing is where Kara began their career on sticky dance floors and dimly lit night club stages, but very quickly found their voice as a counter-tenor singer and Wedding Venues, Cruise Ships, Hotels, Resorts and Television quickly ushered them into their world and audiences. ​ Following continually sold out cabaret shows nationally, ‘Australia’s Premier Live Singing Drag Queen’ (Fuse Magazine) and Soiree Cabaret Producer, KARA ZMATIQ brings the best of circus, dance, live-singing drag and burlesque to The Vanguard for World Pride 2023. Curated and hosted by ‘Australia’s Best Live-Singing Drag Queen’ (Focus Magazine) Experience a star-studded mix of classic “camp” hit songs set amongst sexy and incredibly risqué circus and dance performances with special guest appearances from some of the country's truly fabulous LGBTQI+ burlesque and cabaret entertainers! Expect the unexpected in a truly interactive, raunchy and sensory cabaret show. Soiree Cabaret will “blow” your minds darlings! TICKETING INFO

Paul Hughes AKA Lee’roy was born in Glasgow, Scotland and completed his undergraduate degree in Film Studies at University of Glasgow. He spent 20 years working in fashion in London, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Shanghai before moving to Sydney in 2019. Paul is largely influenced by fashion, street art and club culture. His style of painting is probably best explained as a palimpsest. They are layer upon layer of versions of the same work. He is an appropriation artist and works mainly in acrylic on canvas using mixed media and collage. Paul Hughes AKA Lee’roy current work has superhero’s as a central theme. He places familiar characters in compromising positions and imagines how his childhood hero’s would react to some of the political and social challenges we currently face. Super Hero’s represent the very best and worst aspects of human character and it is these contradictions and the explicit nature of the work that demand your attention! Find out more at Lee Roy Styrene.

Barry Charles is a respected member of the 78er’s but his fight for equality started at CAMP Inc meetings in 1971 and participating in several gay demonstrations and activities including the 1973 march from Sydney Town Hall and a 1978 protest march in San Francisco led by gay rights activist, Harvey Milk. On returning to Sydney his longtime friends told him of plans for the Mardi Gras event on Oxford St. “I was particularly happy to chant, ‘Out of the bars...into the streets’ which had been so effective on Castro Street”. Barry later joined the law reform movement as Co-Convenor of Gay Rights Lobby from 1981 to 1984 and attended the first Police/Gay Liason Committee. He remains active in the fight for equality and was proudly marching alongside the 20th Anniversary float of 78ers in 1998.

James Breko is a local Sydney celebrity hustling his brand of Trivia & Music Bingo.  During Sydney's lockdowns as MC work vanished, Breko quickly pivoted into hosting online Zoom Trivia for work teams across the Country. his zany brand of Trivia and Music Bingo has since been featured on The Today Show and on Nine's hit TV show, Travel Guides. In Sydney Breko hosting events 5 nights a week as well as corporate events. His annual events include a Mardi Gras float, the Sydney Grand Final Eurovision screening & a camp Vivid Dance Cruise. Breko has dabbled in radio, TV and has written for various publications including The Star Observer & The Huffington Post. He is the founder of DIY Rainbow & also served on the Board of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras for 3 years. James 'Breko' Brechney founded the viral rainbow chalking movement DIY Rainbow in 2013 against the backdrop of the removal of the Sydney Rainbow Crossing. Chalk rainbow crossings went on to be an international success with many global landmarks gaining a chalk rainbow crossing for LGBTI equality. The Facebook page is still active today, regularly sharing LGTBI news to it's followers as well as organising events, rallies and raising funds for local projects. James went on to work with the United Nations body UNESCO on an anti-bullying and anti-homophobia project across Thailand, where chalking rainbows were used to bring groups together and start a conversation about homophobia in primary schools. In 2014 DIY Rainbow was named one of the 10 memorable pages of Facebook of all time, celebrating a decade of the social network, alongside The Humans of New York and others, which led to James chalking a rainbow at Facebook HQ in Silicon Valley and celebrating San Francisco Pride with the Facebook and Instagram teams. James continued to be community leader speaking at rallies, conducting fundraisers, and producing Mardi Gras floats for the community to take part in. He has hosted several live talk show forums on the Oxford Street strip covering topics including Marriage Equality, World AIDS Day and the 78ers.