The Midsumma Pride March was held on Sunday 2 February, with tens of thousands of people cheering participants along Fitzroy Street in St Kilda, and for the eighth time our Carey Pride and Equality group marched in the event. Over 260 groups formed a colourful and proud rainbow family, ranging from badminton teams to Scouts, Brazilian drummers, car enthusiasts, community organisations and schools. ‘Wave C’ – the schools section of the march – was a buzz of activity and discussions, with staff, students and parents sharing their stories and highlights from previous Pride Marches and excitement for the year ahead.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen spoke about the importance of such events, highlighting the 30th anniversary of the Pride March and Midsumma festival in Victoria. Around thirty Carey students, parents, OCGs and staff gathered at the Ian Johnston Oval to join in the celebrations and send a message of inclusion and diversity for our LGBTIQA+ students and staff, before the long march to the Catani Gardens to the sounds of support from the large crowd gathered along Fitzroy Street. The experience of being part of a broader community event such as the Pride March is impactful and supportive, providing a positive inclusive legacy for our Carey LGBTIQA+ students and staff.
Allies and friends of the LGBTIQA+ community mentioned on the day that being part of the Carey Pride Group is such a positive and nurturing experience. They felt that after such an event they can better support family and friends and understand with more clarity the gravity of discriminatory issues some students face and how best to tackle them in a way that is respectful and effective.
The strong message on the day was the importance of community, and celebration through participation and inclusion most certainly resonated with all involved. We seek to build on our new Complex Competencies of Active Citizenship and Personal Development through involvement in the Carey Pride Group.
Carey staff members mentioned on the day that as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, attending Pride events makes us feel incredibly included and welcomed at Carey. Being surrounded by so many individuals from diverse backgrounds who are there to show their support and celebrate our community is a truly heart-warming and empowering experience. The School’s commitment to attend Pride has been wonderful and it is great to feel like we are part of a larger movement, fighting for equality and inclusivity for all.
Our school values of Care, Respect and Growth support the Pride Groups’ 2025 focus for all our members to consider how we all care for each other, develop and maintain a culture of respect and continue to learn and grow within this great school.
Carey’s Pride Groups meet on Week A Tuesdays in the Carey Library. Middle School and Senior School groups will meet on the same day, but during their own lunchtimes. Our first 2025 meetings will be held on Tuesday 18 February. Allies, friends and new members welcome!
This year, our School will be hosting the Student Leadership Symposium for LGBTQIA+ students and allies. The symposium will be held in August, with some 70 schools from across metropolitan Melbourne attending. A newly reimagined Senior School Pride Group will be active leaders at this event, and we encourage Year 10, 11 and 12 students interested in this event to attend our next meeting.
Simon Carver
Carey Pride Group Co-ordinator
Leader of Learning – Art and Design
