Celebrating seven years of Feel the Love

Thursday, 24 January 2019

Inner West Council will kick off Mardi Gras celebrations with events for all the community.

Council’s seventh annual ‘Feel the Love’ Mardi Gras reception will be held on Thursday, 7 February 2019 at Marrickville Town Hall. The event continues to grow in popularity as Mardi Gras festivities are warmly embraced by residents of the Inner West.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said he was proud of how the event has gone from strength to strength since its launch in 2013.

“Our LGBTIQ residents are a strong and vocal part of our community, and they’ve played a huge role in shaping the character of our area,” he said.

“Feel the Love celebrates the fact that the Inner West occupies a central place in Australia’s LGBTIQ history. It is an event that is firmly rooted in a community where there is a strong spirit of co-operation, trust and pride.”

Barbra Blacksheep returns as host while the event will highlight Pride Seat Nominees and the qualities they’ve embodied over the years.

‘Feel the Love’ is a chance for the LGBTIQ community to come together ahead of the official launch of the 41st Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and share their support of the diversity of the Inner West.

The 2019 guest speaker is Kate Blyth, a queer Year 12 student who will discuss growing up in our community today.

Local community members and organisations are invited to the event at Marrickville Town Hall from 7pm on Thursday, 7 February.

The reception will be followed by a Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony at the Lackey St piazza at Summer Hill on Friday, 8 February from 8am, where the flag will be flown for the remainder of the Mardi Gras celebrations.

Register at Eventbrite.

‘Feel The Love’ is organised by Council in consultation and partnership with a working party comprised of representatives of the LGBTIQ communities.

For media enquiries, contact Bron Matherson | External Communications Officer P: +61 2 9392 5170 bron.matherson@innerwest.nsw.gov.au