Tuesday, 19 April, 2022
Lilydale
State opposition ramps up its focus on the Yarra Ranges
RSLs prepare for upcoming ANZAC Day services
Lilydale CFA member returns from flood regions
Pumpkin harvest a bright Autumn delight
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A Star News Group Publication
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Proudly marching By Mikayla van Loon Celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community in the Yarra Ranges in an important part of the work the Lilydale Youth Hub does with young people. Having originally wanted to take a group of young people to participate in the Midsumma Pride March earlier in the year, youth engagement officer Yashna said with a spike in Covid-19 at the time it didn’t seem safe. “We didn’t want our young people to miss out and there was so much passion for an event to happen, therefore we decided to hold our own event in Lilydale at the Hub,” Yashna said. Even though it is 2022 and sexual diveristy and equality should be part of society, Yashna said sadly young people don’t always feel that way. “This kind of representation and acknowledgement of sexual diversity for young people is essential because for a lot of our young people, they may not be able to fully express themselves in other settings for multiple reasons, but here at the Hub they can. “Our team does our very best to ensure all young people feel safe in this space and feel comfortable to express their truest selves.” On Thursday 14 April, the Lilydale Youth Hub held its very own Pride event, where young people gathered to take part in some activities and hear from a guest speaker before taking to the streets themselves in their very own Pride march. Rural Rainbows guest speaker Finn spoke about their own experiences in building positive connections within the LGBTQIA+ community, as well as within their own family when they they realised they identified as non-binary. Finn also encouraged fun and lighthearted conversation around what the young people who attended wish they could change. “It’s amazing that we have safe and accepting spaces here in the Yarra Ranges, where young people can be themselves. It wasn’t always like this,” Finn said. Continued page 3
Young people met at the Lilydale Youth Hub on Thursday 14 April to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in a Pride march.
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