WATCH: Details of the Orange Rainbow Festival have been revealed.
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00:00 I think it breaks down some of that misinformation that might be out there in the community.
00:07 Because often it's the few noisy people that grab the headlines, but the facts and the truth of it often get lost.
00:18 So I think it's really important that we break down those barriers.
00:21 Look, it will be a lot of fun for the community, and that's a really important part of it.
00:27 But there is, I suppose, a more serious part to an event like this.
00:33 This is very much about our LGBTIQ+ community, very much about our rainbow youth, our rainbow families.
00:41 And as a gay man myself, a member of that community, I do have, I suppose, some insight and understanding into the challenges that particularly our youth face.
00:52 There is still discrimination and bullying and a whole lot of issues.
00:57 And as Mel said earlier, our LGBTIQ+ youth struggle with higher rates of mental illness, higher rates of suicide, and a whole range of issues.
01:08 So an event like this really sends out the message loud and clear, you are normal, you are loved, you are part of this community.
01:18 You are celebrated by all levels of government, you are part of the community.
01:23 And I'm just really happy to be here, to be part of that event, to be helping spread that message with the councillors that are behind me.
01:31 And very much look forward to being part of the festival itself.
01:34 [BLANK_AUDIO]