Queer Formal – Melbourne – 2017

A night to wear what you want, come with who you want, and just be yourself! With great music, awesome live performances, the best in delicious food, and a great dance party to finish, there's nothing better than this! All at the beautiful St Kilda Town Hall thanks to the fantastic support of the City of Port Phillip. This event is for young people aged 21 and under and is strictly drug, alcohol free and smoke free. ----- We would like to acknowledge the Bunurong/Boon Wurrung people, of the Kulin Nation, the traditional custodians of the land this event will be held on. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, and present, and acknowledge that this land was never ceded. ----- WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT Imagine being told by your school that the clothes you feel comfortable wearing to a formal aren’t considered ‘normal’ or don’t conform to a certain type of gender expression. Imagine not being allowed to take the partner you truly want to take, or being too uncomfortable to go at all. It’s a sucky reality for queer students from all over Australia, who are bullied or made to feel unsupported because of their identity. That’s what the Queer Formal is all about; you, me and heaps of other students having the night of our lives. But it’s also a chance for us to say to schools “Hey, you need to do more to support us; you need to challenge transphobia and homophobia.” Until all schools step up and make their events safe for everyone, we’ll run the Queer Formal. THE EVENT 5:00 – 5:45PM: Pre-dinner mocktails and mingle 6:00 – 8:00PM: Sit down dinner and incredible performances and guest speakers 8:00 – 10PM: Dance party You can come with your partner, your friends or even come by yourself! Still not sure what to expect? Check out the recap from our previous formal! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGX_9bmqTOk HOW TO GET THERE! Minus18 Crew will meet at Flinders Street Station at 4PM and escort you to the venue, and then back at 10PM (optional). We will take accessible trams. HELP US SUPPORT LGBTI YOUTH Some young people can't afford tickets to this event, but with your support we can ensure every young person gets to come along to the night of their lives! Sponsor a ticket to give a young person who can't otherwise afford it entry totally for free to this event. All donations are also fully tax deductible! DONATE HERE: https://chuffed.org/project/queer-formal-2017 GETTING YOUR TICKET $20 +BF early bird (on or before 9th March 2017) $40 +BF full price (all the time!) If you are having trouble paying for a ticket, or you work for an organisation that works with Queer, Trans and Intersex People of Colour, get in touch with our Youth Worker frankie@minus18.org.au for free tickets. ACCESSIBILITY This event is wheelchair accessible. The speeches and ceremony component of this event will have Auslan Interpreters. CHILL OUT SPACE As always, we will have a quiet space at the formal for anyone who wants a break from the hussle and bussle! Anyone can use this space to chill out, relax, and talk to a Youth Worker if you’re keen! PEOPLE OF COLOUR SPACE This year the formal will have a space specifically dedicated to Queer, Trans and Intersex People of Colour (QTIPoC)! Keep an eye on our website, we have an article about it coming up! It will be run by PoC Youth Workers and be a relaxed, safe, supportive space to have fun! We at Minus18 use the word Queer as a reclaimed, all-inclusive term meaning LGBTI+. This is an ongoing conversation and any feedback is welcomed. All design and promotion for this event was created by LGBTI+ young people at Minus18. The Queer Formal is run by Minus18 and proudly supported by the Victorian Government. No passouts available.