A festival for everyone, the month-long SpringOUT Queer Cultural Festival is back and it kicks off its heels this weekend to celebrate the diversity of the local LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) community.

Launching way back in the (very) late 90s, SpringOUT was created by a small group of people passionate about LGBTQI issues and its community. Since November 1999, the Festival has continued to gain momentum and support each and every year, growing from its volunteer team of two to an enthusiastic team of eight, who spend five out of 12 months planning it. With a renewed sense of optimism and celebration, this year’s fifteenth SpringOut will showcase more than 20 events and reveal as many facets of Queer culture as possible. Over the years, the festival has matured and this year promises to be bigger and better than ever before. Festival organising committee members, Mat Knobel and Leanne Staggard let us in on what’s in store for festival goers (and supporters) when it opens this weekend.

What is SpringOUT?

The SpringOUT Queer Cultural Festival is Canberra’s annual LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex) event. SpringOUT is unique in the ACT as it is a celebration of the LGBTQI community and a part of the national calendar of LGBTQI/pride festivals which occur annually in every state and territory across Australia.

SpringOut brings in to focus the Queer culture of Canberra. It is a festival for everyone. It not only celebrates Canberra’s LGBTQI  community; it informs, educates and inspires. It’s one of those festivals where people reunite; bringing them out of the suburbs and bringing them together at social events rather than the local token gay bar. It holds a special place in the hearts of the community and its significance in that respect is major.

Why is it unique?

The thing that’s unique about SpringOut is the community. In larger cities, you don’t get that sense of ownership at a festival—you’ll always be a guest, whereas in Canberra you get a sense of ownership of this project. SpringOut connects with Canberrans.

How did SpringOut come about and what was behind its creation?

SpringOUT was started in 1999 by a small group of people who were passionate about LGBTQI issues and our community. The festival has been run every November since then. Our team of eight have brought a new celebration to festival and there is a real sense of excitement within the community.

At its core, SpringOUT provides a focal point for many organisations and groups to showcase their work, commitment and opportunities for the LGBTQI community, through a series of events.  That being said, I feel like SpringOUT is much more than that for our community.  Often in society LGBTQI members are the target of some very homo/trans phobic behaviour, so the opportunity to celebrate who we are and the contributions we make to the wider Canberra is very important.

The festival runs every November. This year marks our 15th birthday – Happy Birthday SpringOUT !!!

What are your hopes for it longterm?

Although we are still a small festival when compared to those in other states, we have big dreams on where we could take SpringOUT.  The possibilities are endless, especially considering that the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras also started from small beginnings, but is now a well known and respected international event that brings a lot of tourists to our shores and is attended by many in the straight/mainstream community.

Specifically, SpringOUT needs support to survive.  At present, it is run by a small group of committee members who are dedicated to ensuring that this celebration of the Canberra LGBTQI community is not lost and that we continue to be out, proud and valued in the wider community.

The dream for SpringOUT is to see it become a regular and respected part of the Canberra festival and social calendar. I like to see the festival as ‘an organic beast’ – a beast that each year changes, continues to grow and becomes its own creation. It’s very exciting! With the support of local businesses and the community, we hope to see this beast become real!

What can people expect from the Festival?

First and foremost people can expect a friendly and accepting atmosphere—everyone is welcome!  The festival aims to provide something for everyone in both the LGBTQI and wider community. They can also expect to have a whole heap of fun.  Our community is very diverse. Not only that, but proud. I would also say that it’s a very close-knit community that always shows support and kindness, and we hope to promote these values through the festival.

What are some of the highlights of the Festival?

We have the return of some signature events including The Aids Action Council Fairday and Bushdance, which is sponsored by our wonderful friends at the Canberra Gay & Lesbian Tennis Club (Pink Tennis).  Both of these events attract hundreds of people from Canberra and interstate.  There are activities for kids, including a SwimOUT event run by Aqua Harmony and Rainbow Storytime held at the Dickson Library.

Adults can enjoy everything from movies, rock climbing, a behind the scenes tour of the NGA with Dr David Sequiera, stage productions such as La Cage Aux Folles and David Atfield’s Scandalous Boy, a Photo Marathon and the very popular BAKE competition.

Our festival is continuing to expand . This year, we have a number of events for our Queer youth and transgendered community members. These include discos, trivia nights and fete days. One of the aims with SpringOUT is to enforce the diversity that is Canberra’s LGBTQI community—a community that is full of hidden gems.

Overall, there are just too many great events to mention so people are best to seek out the SpringOUT Festival Guide and keep an eye on our Facebook page as during the festival we have a number of very exciting ‘pop-up’ events that will be announced along the way.

So is it just for the LGBTQI community or for anyone?

The festival is very inclusive and we really encourage the wider community to attend the events and enjoy the diversity that the festival brings. It sounds a little cliché but the LGBTQI community is just like everyone else; we love to dance, socialise, cook, appreciate art, create, debate and participate in sport.  The festival is a reflection of all of these things.  In that respect, whilst the event is a celebration of the LGBTQI community, I think everyone in Canberra and the surrounds will find something interesting and fun to attend.

Have you been pleased with the support you’ve received from the Canberra community including local businesses?

The support and generosity of the Canberra community is amazing, you only have to look at our major and event supporters to see that support for SpringOUT is alive and well. However, our committee strive to make this festival inclusive, reflective of our community and something for which Canberra can be proud.  As a not-for-profit volunteer community group this can often be difficult.

Our major supporters —Telstra, HerCanberra, The Street Theatre, Typeyard Design & Advertising and FUSE Magazine have all helped to ensure the Festival has wings to fly. We are grateful to these organisations as well as the event hosts and businesses stocking the guide. Help in all capacities has been most welcomed and we sincerely thank those involved for that.

What are you most looking forward to?

In a nutshell, please don’t ask us to choose a favourite event !  LOL…This year we are looking forward to welcoming more of the wider Canberra community to our much loved festival. Come and join us and Happy SpringOUT !

The essentials

What: SpringOUT Festival

When: Saturday 1 to Sunday 30 November

Where: Various locations around Canberra, check out the Festival program for more info.