The Rainbow City Festival (March 22nd - 24th) is a weekend of fun to celebrate and support LBGTQIA+ young people in the Orange region, while fostering inclusion, acceptance and unity within our community. It showcases the rich cultural tapestry of our progressive and modern city.

The free event is hosted by the Orange Youth Action Council’s Sincerely Queer group, supported by Orange City Council, and is fully funded by the NSW Government’s and ‘Our Region Our Voice’ Regional Youth Investment Program (RYIP).

RYIP provides funding to enhance the lives and wellbeing of regional youth and support them to live their best life and thrive within their local communities. 

Unfortunately, Orange City councillor Kevin Duffy has called for the council to cancel its involvement in the festival, and the motion will be put to a vote at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, March 5th.

We must ensure that this beacon of diversity continues to shine brightly in our community. We urge the council to maintain their support for this important event. By doing so they will be sending a clear message - that Orange NSW stands for inclusivity and acceptance.

The Rainbow Festival is not funded by ratepayer money, but cancelling the event at the eleventh hour would incur costs to ratepayers of approximately $125,000.

Sign this petition today to show your support for the continuation of the Rainbow City Festival in 2024!

HOW ELSE CAN YOU HELP?

1. Register your attendance at the FREE Rainbow Festival events to demonstrate to Orange City Council that the Festival activities will be supported and celebrated by the local community.

2. Send an email or letter of support that outlines your desire to see the Rainbow Festival continue with the support and funding provided by Orange City Council. Your correspondence can be as simple as "I support the 2024 Rainbow Festival" and should be emailed to ALL Orange City Councillors: 

cr.hamling@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.power@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.duffy@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.evans@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.mcdonell@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.mallard@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.mileto@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.peterson@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.whitton@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.evans@orange.nsw.gov.au
cr.floyd@orange.nsw.gov.au

cr.kinghorne@orange.nsw.gov.au

cr.greenhalgh@orange.nsw.gov.au

3. Join us in person on Tuesday March 5th from 5:30pm at Southcourt steps, outside of Groundstone Cafe/Orange Visitor Information Centre (151 Byng Street, Orange). The scheduled Council meeting commences at 6:30pm, and there will not be enough space inside the Chambers for all, but we can peacefully rally outside the Chambers to show our support of Orange's LGBTQI+ community and their right to celebrate. Wear your best and brightest colours and bring your own signs and placards - but please keep it kind and respectful.