Inner West Pride Walk

Site of the first public manifestation of the Order of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence in Sydney (1981), making it the second House established worldwide after the San Francisco Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence (1979). The Sisters work to promote awareness and advance social justice for LGBTIQA+ communities, supporting everyone’s right to live and love freely.

This signage recognises the 50th anniversary of CAMP Inc, one of the first gay and lesbian rights organisations, who began the human rights movement for the LGBTIQA+ community over 50 years ago. Across the road from this plaque is the site of Camp Inc's first Clubhouse, where meetings and parties took place.

The plaque stands adjacent to Balmain Town Hall, where early CAMP Inc. social events and fundraisers were held, including CAMP Inc's very first dance in 1971. Also nearby is Balmain Post Office, where CAMP Ink, a national gay and lesbian rights magazine, was mailed out in plain brown paper envelopes to protect the anonymity of recipients. Because same-sex activity was illegal in most Australian states and territories from the 1970s–1990s (with reform occurring at different times across the country), confidentiality was extremely important. 

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Bon and Peter featured in the 1972 ABC documentary series Chequerboard and during the program they shared what became the first male same-sex kiss on Australian television.  They were founding members of CAMP inc. and set up the first gay and lesbian phone counselling service in NSW Phone-A-Friend at their Balmain home in 1973. They continued to be active in the gay rights movement and took part in the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978. Throughout their lives they continued to campaign for justice and equality and have been active members of Pride History Group Sydney.

Founded in 1974, this site was the third home of a landmark hub for feminist and lesbian literature. The Feminist Bookshop was known and valued all over Sydney and beyond as a safe and welcoming place for women and all LGBTIQA+ rainbow families. More than a bookshop, it was a meeting place, offering support and advice to women coming out, or questioning their sexuality, and looking for community. Transgender people were always especially welcomed.

For three decades, this important feminist institution was owned and operated by Gabrielle (Gail) Hewison, and her sisters, Libby and Jane, from 1982 to 2011. The Feminist Bookshop announced the closure of its physical location in June 2024 and continues to operate online.

Robyn Plaister has been dedicated to the LGBTIQA+ community, being involved actively for nearly 50 years.  She worked on the Executive of CAMP Inc. from 1973 to 1978 and was on the organising committee for the first Mardi Gras in 1978.

After the first Mardi Gras, Robyn nearly lost her job as a teacher when she appeared on the front pages of the Telegraph. Robyn was innovative in recognising where there was a need and started Lesbian Mothers’ Group in 1976 and Lesbian Teachers Group in NSW in 1978.  Robyn is a role model to younger lesbians in teaching and in life.

Originally chalked as part of a community protest movement, the Summer Hill Rainbow Crossing was installed as permanent in November 2013. It symbolises love, equality and inclusion, and has long been a meeting place for friends, supporters and members of the LGBTIQA+ community. Over the years many gatherings have taken place around the crossing, with messages chalked into its pattern. The crossing featured prominently in the marriage equality campaign.

Long-term Inner West resident, Tim Bishop, has been instrumental in enhancing the inclusion and equity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian LGBTIQA+ community. Most notable is his project www.blackmardigras.net, where he initiated, researched and compiled an interactive online archive to document and preserve a history of First Peoples’ entries in the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade; a treasure trove of incredible stories, photographs and rare archival footage, much of which stood to be lost or forgotten in the annals of time.

From the 1960s, this venue has hosted The Chameleons dances and other LGBTIQA+ social groups, creating safe spaces for community before law reform. Over the decades, it has remained a gathering place for many LGBTIQA+ organisations.

Installed by Inner West Council to celebrate Sydney WorldPride 2023, these colours honour LGBTIQA+ pride and inclusion. They reflect our commitment to a community where everyone feels welcome.

Pride Square was launched in 2023 by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during Sydney WorldPride, honouring the Inner West’s commitment to LGBTIQA+ equality and visibility. Pride Square is home to the Inner West Pride Centre, the first-ever council-funded Pride Centre in Australia. It is operated in partnership with Twenty10.

Roberta Perkins was a trailblazer for Australian transgender people. She was an academic and writer, authoring numerous books on sex work in Australia and using her platform to fight for sex worker rights.  Roberta established a refuge in the Inner West for homeless trans people, which later became The Gender Centre.

Roberta was a founding member of the former Australian Prostitutes Collective NSW, which advocated for decriminalisation of sex work to improve the lives of workers in the state.The organisation's work is today continued by the Sex Worker Outreach Project (SWOP) NSW.

Tiresias House, Australia’s first government-funded refuge for transgender people, opened in the Inner West in 1984, providing safety, support and advocacy. In 1993, its work expanded and the organisation became known as The Gender Centre. Since 2023, this building has been home to The Gender Centre, continuing a longstanding legacy of care, inclusion, and community support.

Founded in 1964, The Pollys Club is Australia’s longest-running LGBTIQA+ social organisation. Since 2000, it has hosted inclusive queer dances and fundraising events  at Marrickville Town Hall, continuing a proud tradition of community and celebration.

The mission of the Pollys Club is to raise money for charity by organising LGBTIQA+ themed dances, which are safe, all-inclusive, cost-effective and fabulous fun. The funds raised are donated to charities focused on men’s health, women’s health, youth health, mental health and animal welfare. The Pollys Club has created a safe space for the community to be themselves. It's this that gives empowerment to those who remain in the closet.

For many of his generation and beyond, Lex Watson was the face of gay activism in Sydney. He was a foundation member of the Campaign Against Moral Persecution (CAMP Inc.), the organiser of the first gay rights demonstration in Australia, a long-time passionate advocate of homosexual law reform and of anti-discrimination legislation, a pioneer AIDS activist, and in later years, a keen advocate for the preservation of gay community history. His was a courageous life of towering achievement.

The Inner West Pride Hub celebrates inclusion in sport. It is home to Australia’s first queer and inclusive men’s soccer club, The Sydney Rangers, and the world’s largest LGBTIQA+ women’s and non-binary soccer club, The Flying Bats.

The Trans Solidarity Crossing was installed at this site as a symbol of public solidarity, visibility and support for trans and gender-diverse people.