The role of regional LGBTQI+ festivals and events in promoting social movements: A local stakeholder perspective

Abstract

Festivals and events can foster a collective sense of purpose and foster shared commitment to a cause by engaging the numerous and diverse stakeholders necessary for the organisation and running of these events. It is from this stakeholder perspective that this paper explored how LGBTQI+ events can help regional communities resist marginalisation and become advocates for social movements. Interviews with ten key stakeholders involved in the planning and implementation of the Broken Heel festival in Broken Hill and the fabALICE Festival in Alice Springs, identified four overarching themes: resisting marginalisation; places of identity; value of inclusion; and emerging tensions. These themes provide important insights into the role and effect of regional LGBTQI+ festivals on local communities and suggests areas for future research and advocacy.