With their heads held high and rainbow flags held higher, more than 700 people have walked through Beechworth in a stand against bigotry.
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What started as a simple idea to celebrate diversity will likely become an annual event, attracting supporters from Albury-Wodonga to Wangaratta.
Beechworth mum Tania Sutton, who put the idea to the community after a gay business owner was discriminated against, was overwhelmed by the response.
“There seemed to be a huge representation from right across the community, from different belief systems and nationalities,” she said.
“There was a large section of people from the LGBTQI community.
“I had many come up and thank me and some had quite heartful messages about what it meant for them to be able to be there.”
Peggy Leung Davidson, who organised the event with Ms Sutton, said the word had spread in just one week.
“I saw her Facebook post last Friday and after a couple messages later between us she said, ‘Let’s do it this weekend coming’,” she said.
“I’ve only only been in Beechworth since March after moving here from Canada.
“When she mentioned doing a walk, my mind went to the pride parade in Vancouver which is a huge event ever year.
“What we did on Saturday was show people they can speak up and there are those who will support you if you’re different.”
Ms Leung Davidson said she was shocked to hear the owner of Bang! in Beechworth was closing up shop and leaving for Sydney after experiencing repeated instances of discrimination.
“I’d never experienced anything like that here, or in any other place I’ve lived,” she said.
“We had about 700 people walk on Saturday, which is about 20 per cent of the Beechworth population.
“It shows the people exhibiting hateful behaviour and bigotry really are the minority.”
At the close of the event in the Beechworth community gardens, Indigo Shire Mayor Jenny O’Connor said the community was “united as one”.
“We are inclusive, we are welcoming and we are accepting of everyone regardless, of culture, sexuality, stage of life, ability or faith,” she said.
“We stand up for all of this and today we show that rural people are decent, kind and strong – we rise above discrimination and bigotry.”
Ms Sutton said Saturday proved how a sense of community spirit could mobilise a town.
“It doesn’t matter what kind of situation something starts with; you can turn it around and make it into a positive,” she said.
