A free Gold Coast Pride Formal for LGBTQIA+ young people is going ahead after organisers discovered that some tickets had been claimed as a joke. The Gold Coast Pride Collective says the event remains safe and welcoming, and is asking the community to help genuine attendees take part in a celebration made for them.
Bogus registrations threatened places for young people
Some registrations for the free Gold Coast Pride Formal weren't genuine, the Gold Coast Pride Collective found after following up on bookings that had brought the event close to capacity. The false claims appeared to have been made without any intention of attending, putting a practical obstacle in the way of young people who wanted to go.
For a youth event built around feeling welcome, that kind of disruption is especially dispiriting. The organisers say the formal is still going ahead as planned, and they want the room filled with support rather than mockery.
The formal is still on at QT Gold Coast
The formal is scheduled for Saturday 21 November at QT Gold Coast. The Collective says it has no safety concerns and that the event will proceed regardless of how many people attend.
Board members, volunteers and community supporters will be there during the evening to help attendees feel welcomed and supported. It’s a reassuring detail for young people who may be wondering what to expect from an event created with their comfort in mind.
A free, flexible celebration for young people
The formal is for high-school-aged young people through to 21, whether or not they're enrolled at school. There’s no dress requirement: guests can wear formal clothes, choose a style that feels like them or come casually.
The event listing describes a party-style evening with DJs, dancing, drag performances, games, competitions, prizes, food and drinks. It also says the event is strictly drug- and alcohol-free, and welcomes LGBTQIA+ young people, allies and friends.
More tickets and a simple way to help
After discovering the false registrations, organisers made more tickets available and encouraged the community to spread the word. Sharing the event information could help a young person who wants to go find a place.
The formal is free to attend, while public donations help cover costs and keep it accessible. Supporters can donate the equivalent of a ticket through the event page, without needing to arrange a ticket for a particular student.
A show of support matters
The Collective’s appeal is simple: help young people celebrate, rather than letting a supposed joke define the event. That message also sits within the organisation’s wider work to support and bring together the Gold Coast’s LGBTQIA+ community.
And for anyone deciding whether to pass the invitation along, the most useful thing may be the least complicated: share the details with someone who might want to be there.
Help spread the word so the formal can be filled with welcome and community spirit.
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