Sydney WorldPride Rainbow Champions Highlights the Community’s Diversity

Over the last few months, Sydney WorldPride has been recognizing the achievements of members of the Australian LGBTQIA+ community by honoring them as Rainbow Champions.

The final 10 of the 45 Rainbow Champions represent a diverse cross-section of the community, with entertainers, presenters, trans advocates, and sporting stars all being recognized. A total of 45 Rainbow Champions has been recognized, representing the 45 years since the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which took place on June 24, 1978.

All 45 Champions have been chosen for their contribution to the Australian LGBTQIA+ community and culture. The final 10 Rainbow Champions are:

• Patrick Abboud (he/him) (NSW) – Walkley award-winning journalist, filmmaker, and TV presenter.
• Josh Cavallo (he/him) (SA) – professional footballer.
• Joel Creasey (he/him) (VIC) – TV and radio host, and comedian.
• Electric Fields (SA) – music duo made up of performer Zaachariaha Fielding (he/she), and producer-composer Michael Ross (he/him).
• Kylie Kwong (she/her) (NSW) – celebrated chef and restaurateur.
• Robyn Lambert (they/them) (WA) – Paralympian and model.
• Deni Todorovic (they/them) (VIC) – LGBTQIA+ activist, author, and content creator.
• Bhenji Ra (she/her) (NSW) – performer and interdisciplinary artist.
• Georgie Stone OAM (she/her) (VIC) – actor and advocate for trans and gender-diverse youth.
• Ian Thorpe AM (he/him) (NSW) – multiple Olympic champions.

Kate Wickett, Sydney WorldPride’s Chief Executive, said: “The 10 Rainbow Champions being recognized today come from all walks of life – from talented chefs and world-renowned sporting stars to trans advocates and artists. Sydney WorldPride is only possible because of the first-ever Mardi Gras in 1978, when a small number of people came together, in defiance of popular opinion, to push for progress for the LGBTQIA+ community. The 45th anniversary of Mardi Gras in 2023 is an important reminder that we all have the power to make change happen.”

The full list of Rainbow Champions can be found at www.sydneyworldpride.com/rainbow-champions/.

As well as celebrating significant LGBTQIA+ Australians, Sydney WorldPride is also transforming Sydney into a Rainbow City for the duration of the festival, with organizations across Greater Sydney installing 45 rainbow public artworks to celebrate the festival.

These rainbows include an abstract floral installation at The Calyx at the Royal Botanic Gardens, an update to the Coogee Beach Rainbow Walkway to include the colors of the Progress Pride Flag, and a Progress Pride flag on the Scenic Skyway in the Blue Mountains. 

Sydney WorldPride is a mega Mardi Gras festival taking place from February 17 to March5, 2023. Over 17 days, Sydney will host more than 300 LGBTQIA+ events, including the Rainbow Republic presented by Optus, Marri Madung Butbut: The First Nations Gathering Space, as well as the much-loved Mardi Gras Parade, which will be returning to Oxford Street for the first time in three years. 

Tickets for the full festival program of over 300 events across WorldPride Official, WorldPride Arts, WorldPride Sports, and Pride Amplified are on sale now.

Click here for information about Sydney WorldPride!