Parramatta Foreshore was recently filled with rainbows and fun at the 13th annual Parramatta Pride Picnic where locals celebrated LGBTIQ diversity.
The picnic featured stalls, entertainment, drag performances, food trucks, rainbow activities for kids, sports exhibitions and more, to make for an active and fun-filled day.
Federation’s Blacktown and Parramatta Teachers Associations ensured that Federation’s presence shone through and local members made connections with our broader LGBTIQ communities.
Local member Ademir said: “It was great to meet members of the community in a fun, relaxed setting and talk to them about the challenges facing public schools and TAFE.
“The best conversation I had was with a high school student who wanted to study history at university. They were impressed with the commitment of the Federation to social justice and I think opened their mind to the possibility of becoming a teacher one day.”
Members were also able to make connections with other teachers from nearby schools by volunteering. “It was also just great to hang out with other committed activists from Federation,” Ademir said.
If members at an Association would like Federation to be involved in a local event, the topic should be raised at the local Teachers Association meeting, and a motion to support the activity moved and supported.
Such action is well placed as the impact of demonstrating support for our students, their families and our colleagues is generously received and enables many LGBTIQ people to feel more welcome in their local education setting and the broader community.
Federation is making plans to be involved in Mardi Gras celebrations early next year. To register your interest to volunteer on Federation’s stall at Fair Day on Sunday, 16 February, 2020, email [email protected].