Tropical Pride on again this Sunday

Following the success of last year's inaugural festival when 2,500 people enjoyed a pink afternoon down at EdgeHill, the second Tropical Pride festival is on this weekend in Cairns.

A full day of activities, open to all, will be at the Tanks Arts Centre, Collins Avenue from midday this Sunday.

I've been commissioned to take some compromising photos of our first gay-friendly Mayor Val Schier, who will attend along with Councillor Di-I-want-to-save-the-Yacht-Club-Forsyth.

Di exclusively told CairnsBlog, she's not gay, she just "helps out when they're busy".

Tropical Pride is a day for the LGBT community, their families and friends. This is apposed to the BLT community that hangs around Rex's burger bar most evenings.

A full afternoon of events is organised, which will officially open at midday with Cairns' Out Loud Gay & Lesbian Choir. There'll be food and stalls from local businesses, along with informational and entertainment all afternoon.

At 2pm, the Dog Show, a festival favourite, will take centre stage. Pooches will be judged on Best Dressed, Best Trick, Gayest Looking, Most like Owner, and of course, Best in Show.

As Councillor Pyne said to me at yesterday's Disability Action Week's lunch, "you are the fruit and I am the vegetable – a healthy mix indeed!" He doesn't need a speech writer with such wit.

The Tropical Pride folk will also be in the Festival of Lights parade along the Esplanade on Saturday night. Look out for the police officer, indian chief, cowboy, construction worker and the military.

It will be interesting to see how many rainbow-grabbing politicians abandon their baby kissing to make an appearance at the pride festival this weekend. It will be a gay ol time.