FORTY years ago the North East’s gay and lesbian community say they would have been locked up for celebrating their lifestyles in broad daylight.
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But homosexuality is no longer a hidden part of society and the 10th annual Spring Migration Festival was welcomed by the Yackandandah community at the weekend.
Festival-goer Robert Gibson said the event saw gay and lesbian people from the Border and surrounds meet up and gave them a chance to escape any isolation they might experience living in a regional centre.
“It’s a lot better now than it used to be but there are still problems and it is still hard for young people and older people who have been living a lifestyle that may not be open,” he said.
“These festivals do encourage people though and in the country you get a bit of sameness so the diversity is good for everyone.”
The festival followed the movie Strange Bedfellows, which was filmed in Yackandandah.
Drag queen Amanda Munroe, who starred in the hit film, was a drawcard again this year.
Organiser Gary Hayward said the festival marked the start of spring, a time to “shake the moths out and have a good time after winter”.
“The atmosphere is fantastic, ” he said.
Mr Hayward said no one else had dared to host an event in the North East like the Spring Migration Festival and he expected it to continue for years.