Great things are underway for the Newcastle LGBT Community!

Last night saw the first community events meeting for all LGBTQI organisations in Newcastle to come together and discuss upcoming events for the city and the region throughout the year.

In attendance were representatives from Rainbow Visions, ACON, Freshh!, PFLAG, Metro Entertainment, The Den Magazine and GENoz.

It quickly became apparant at the meeting that the Newcastle LGBTQI community has a diverse body of collaboraters, providing events and activities across the board for all social groups, tastes and likes.

"For the first time in recent history we are seeing community groups and organisations come together with a common goal; to make a difference. Tonight has been a great night for the Newcastle LGBTQI Community and we are lucky to have a diverse selection of people that want to work together, pushing for change and growth. Hopefully more groups will come to the table and understand the importance and value that our community has, not only within Newcastle but on a national scale", said Wayne Mason from Freshh.

The Newcastle LGBTQI community has already seen in the last 12 months a vast increase in LGBT activities in the area that cater to a broad spectrum of tastes. A prime example of the diversity that is being experienced can be seen this Friday with The Den's 2nd Issue magazine launch at The Gateway Hotel; which consists of live acts and caters towards a more Arts & Culture-based community members, and Wig Wars at the Great Northern Hotel; a Drag compertition that is loosely based on an Australian Idol format, where drag queens "lip-synch for their life", appealing to a popular culture audience with DJ's playing handbag house and dance tracks.

The community bodies in attendance at last night's meeting covered many important dates for the Newcastle region such as Rainbow Vision's 2012 Rainbow Festival as well as national dates including IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia) and a whole host of new concepts and ideas - all event organisers participating with their own input.

The next major date, IDAHO (International Day Against Homophobia) May 17, is penned to be a vibrant week for community involvement, with shOUT Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (May 15 - 17), parties, nightclub events, social gatherings and activities spanning from the 12-20 May from Rainbow Visions, Freshh, ACON & PFLAG. GENoz will be sure to publish a full run list of events across the IDAHO week shortly on our website.

"Its going to be a week of events for all ages and a chance for us to educate the general public and bring awareness and visibility to IDAHO, not only to the GLBTQI community but most imporantly to the public at large", said Aaron Little of Metro Entertainment (shOUT Film Festival).

The next meeting will be held early May and with continued supportt and ongoing success as seen with last nights collaboration, Newcastle can undoubtedly expect to see ongoing growth with events, activities and festivals in the local LGBTQI community.

The invitation was extended to prominent community groups, organisations and businesses within the Newcastle LGBTQ+ community, but unfortunatly not all could attend.