By Dean Arcuri / 8 March 2025
Source: Facebook
Earlier this week the Victorian Pride Centre hosted an International Women’s Day event uniting and connecting LGBTQIA+ women.
International Women’s Day on the 8th of March is a day to celebrate women’s achievements and raise awareness about the issues they continue to face.
Ahead of IWD this week, Pride in Diversity (Sapphire Program) held an event at the Victorian Pride Centre rooftop,
They hosted two panels taking on the theme ‘For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ followed by an evening of networking, connection, and celebration.
“This event has been a beautiful journey,” CB from Pride in Diversity told us,
“One that started with Michelle Sheppard securing the first grant last year and Pride in Diversity joining forces to create something truly special.”
“This year, Pride in Diversity had the privilege of expanding that vision,
“Bringing in incredible speakers, building partnerships,
“Ensuring that ALL LGBTQ+ women, non-binary people, and sapphic identities weren’t just included, but truly seen.
“This event was about more than discussion—it was about taking up space and making real commitments to inclusion.”
The event included Dykes on Bikes President T-Rex with a motorcycle on the Pride Centre Rooftop.
Creating a powerful and impactful space for all women who identify as LGBTQIA+.
“For me Dykes on Bikes has always been beacon of strength, safety, and visibility,” CB said,
“And standing with them on the rooftop of the Victorian Pride Centre as the sun set and we raised our glasses together was a moment I will never forget.
“We laughed, we cried, we committed to bringing our inner dyke on a bike into our workplaces, communities, and daily lives.
“This event isn’t just about one day or night, it’s about what we carry forward.
“The roar of that bike wasn’t just a sound; it was a call to action.
“To show up, to take up space, and to push for true inclusion.
‘I refuse to let division divide us’
Victorian Pride Award Person of the Year and Transwoman Michelle Sheppherd spoke at the IWD event.
She was inspired to help create this event after lesbians applied to host an event at the Pride Centre that denied entry to trans women.
The Pride Centre rejected their application as it ‘legally discriminates against people based on their sex, sexuality and gender’.
“When I first came out, I felt more lost than ever,” Michelle said,
“I was disconnected and unsure where I belonged as a woman with a transgender experience.”
“As time went on, I saw the fracturing, the lateral violence, the misinformation,
“Voices trying to divide us from outside & within our communities.”
Michelle spoke of why a gathering such as this is so important at the Victorian Pride Centre.
“Not the gay centre, not the lesbian centre, not the transgender or queer centre.”
“A space built on hope, collaboration, & unity.
“A place to reimagine, reinvigorate, & rebuild how we care for & support our rainbow families.
“I pushed for this event because I refused to let divisions define us.
“Because I needed to hear from & be inspired by women who lead us.
“Women from all walks of life, from every part of our community.
“I wanted to stand together as women, & those with a female experience,
“To celebrate what we’ve achieved & to commit to working closer, bridging divides, & lifting each other up.
“But I also wanted us to face the truth—the data we collect on women is not intersectional.
“The gender pay gap does not tell our story.
“The statistics on violence do not fully capture our experiences.
We need intersectional data.
Michelle gathered data on queer women as part of her speech.
Data on women of colour, women with disabilities, on transgender & gender-diverse women.
“Because if we don’t name our realities, we will continue to be erased.”
Michelle’s data showed that transgender women face the largest pay gap.
Earning 33% less than cisgender women in many sectors.
LGBTIQA+ women & nonbinary workers are over three times more likely to work in low-paid jobs.
Making $15 or less, compared to cisgender, straight men.
That LGBTIQA+ workers earn between 10% to 32% less than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts.
Transgender workers, especially trans women & non-binary individuals, face even greater wage disparities.
Women of colour and women with disabilities face compounded discrimination that is not reflected in generalised pay gap statistics.
“These highlight the pressing need for intersectional data collection & targeted policies to address the specific challenges within our diverse community,” Michelle said
“The fight on the horizon is coming for all of us, and the only way forward is together.”
The event had over eighty organisations involved with over one hundred and fifty attendees from all walks of life and industries.
“It couldn’t have happened without JB, Andrew, and Elisabeth and the incredible VIC PID team,” CB said,
“Alongside our sponsors, partners, and every single person who made this possible.
“This is only the beginning—bring on next year. “
For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Originally posted: https://qnews.com.au/lgbtqia-women-come-together-at-the-vpc-ahead-of-international-womens-day/ 8 March 2025
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