12/06/2025

Georges River Council is proud to celebrate Pride Month with a dynamic and thought-provoking event, Coming In versus Coming Out: Alternative Dialogues from the CALD LGBTQIA+ Community.
 
The free, family-friendly afternoon will explore diverse lived experiences through a rich program featuring a Traditional Chinese Drag performance, a panel discussion, and a networking session.
 
The panel discussion will feature three powerful advocates and community leaders:

• Bernard Saliba (he/him), a public health academic, PhD candidate, and co-creator of the Inviting In mental health resource, will speak to his work in sexual health equity, cultural safety, and intersectional wellbeing among LGBTQIA+ people from culturally and racially minoritised backgrounds.

• Cedric Yin-Cheng (he/they/他/Ta), CEO of the Australia and New Zealand Tongzhi Rainbow Alliance Inc. (ANTRA), a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking LGBTQIA+ communities in Australia will also join.

• Kunal Mirchandani (he/him), Community Outreach Director at Trikone Australia, an organisation providing safe, inclusive spaces for queer individuals of South Asian heritage. Kunal brings with him a wealth of experience from his work on inclusive mental health initiatives and the Under the Brown Rainbow podcast.

Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg said, “This event highlights Council’s ongoing commitment to fostering a safe and inclusive community for all.
 
“Pride Month is an important opportunity to celebrate identity, promote acceptance, and amplify voices that are often under-represented.
 
“This event creates a vital platform for CALD LGBTQIA+ individuals to share their unique stories, learn more about community organisations working in the space and connect with others.
 
“We are proud to host inclusive and meaningful events that reflect the diversity of our local area.”
 
For more information and to book, visit Council’s Pride Month webpage.
 
This Pride Month event is part of Georges River Council’s broader commitment to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms, in alignment with our Social Justice Charter. Council’s Social Justice Charter was developed in consultation with community and strengthens our efforts towards equality, justice, and acceptance for all. 
 
Event Details:
Date: Saturday 21 June 2025.
Time: 3.00pm – 6.00pm.
Venue: Civic Theatre, 16 MacMahon Street, Hurstville.
Cost: Free (includes catering).