Published on 19 June 2024

Filled with Pride

UPDATE: Please note, the Spark Pride Party has been postponed until further notice.

Young people in Onkaparinga are invited to celebrate Pride Month in style with a Spark Pride Party in Aldinga on Friday 28 June.

The Onkaparinga Youth-organised event (for 12-17-year-olds) kicks off from 6–9pm at the Aldinga Institute Hall and will feature live music from local acoustic musicians, a sparkle station to get glittery, fun art activities and a photobooth. DJ SVVLO will also be on the decks from 7.30pm!

Tickets start at $5, with a return private bus ticket available ($10), departing from headspace Onkaparinga (3/50 Esplanade, Christies Beach) – limited space available. Book now to secure your spot.

The annual supervised youth-friendly event was created in response to the needs identified by young people in Onkaparinga, with the council’s youth centres and services also providing safe and inclusive spaces for all members of the region’s diverse community.

Pride Month is an annual month-long celebration in June of the diversity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community. It’s a time to reflect on how far civil rights have progressed and an opportunity to speak out against discrimination and violence.

Local youth worker Reuben Watson (pictured alongside Minister for Human Services, Nat Cook MP) was a key driver of Onkaparinga Youth’s wider inaugural fortnightly Spark LGBTQIA+ program at Aldinga’s Studio 20 Youth Centre, creating a safe space for young people from the rainbow community to connect.

Reuben’s contributions – which began as a youth work student at Studio 20 – last month saw him named a semi-finalist for the Department of Human Services Pride Award at the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for SA.

And it’s not the only honour bestowed upon the local LGBTQIA+ community recently – last Saturday, Pride of the South won the Community Group of the Year Award at the inaugural South Australian Pride Awards.

“Pride of the South has worked tirelessly to support LGBTQIA+ individuals in the southern regions of South Australia,” award organisers said.

“Their advocacy, support networks, and community-building efforts have strengthened the fabric of our community, making them a deserving recipient of this award.”

Congrats, Reuben and Pride of the South!