Although Albany Pride itself has existed since back in 2011, the first Pride Festival in Albany (Kinjarling) took place back in 2016. Over the past ten years, Albany Pride Festival has brought together a wide variety of performers and events to Albany.
One of our own, Andrew Wenzel – headspace Albany Manager, has been recognised as one of two Pride Patrons for 2026. Andrew, alongside Annie Arnold, is the co-founder of Albany Pride and since then has played a key role in the success and growth of the celebration of Pride in Albany. What began as a drag show in one of the bars, now features over 30 events and is recognised as one of the biggest Pride festivals in WA. Albany Pride is celebrated at a different time of year to Pride Month – a deliberate decision to allow not only performers, but also attendees, the opportunity to travel, be part of the festival and celebrate with regional WA.
“This is an event that makes me really happy because going back 15 years ago, there was no visibility for queer people in Albany. Now, particularly on Pride Fair Day, we see Pride flags up and down York Street, proudly being worn as capes or in other variations. It’s a really beautiful thing.” Andrew Wenzel, headspace Albany Manager
For the past three years, Jasmine Heslop – headspace Albany Senior Administrator & Community Engagement Officer, has enjoyed her role as Sports Coordinator for the Albany Pride Festival, coordinating inclusive and accessible sports events that bring local and Perth LGBTQIA+ sporting communities together. These events have included Pride Parkruns with Mt Clarence Parkrun and Perth Frontrunners, Kickball Give-a-go events with Emerald City Kickball Perth, Lawn Bowls with Emu Point Sports & Community Centre and the Rainbow-Lers at Lawn Bowls WA, and the Great Southern Football League Women’s Pride Rounds with the local footy clubs and Claremont Women’s Football Club.
Youth Girls and Women’s Football Pride Round
Our team attended the Great Southern Football League Women’s Pride Round, an opportunity to stand alongside players, coaches, referees, volunteers and supporters in celebrating visibility, inclusion and belonging in sport. We know that young people who identify as LGBTQIA+ experience higher rates of anxiety and distress, not because of who they are, but because of stigma and discrimination.
Events like Pride Round matter – when a sporting club says, ‘you belong here’, it carries real weight. It tells young people they don’t have to choose between who they are and the communities and activities they love. Shout out to the Great Southern Football League for creating space for pride in sport and inviting us to connect with young people and share the services that are available.
Spectrum
Jamie Murphy, Community Engagement Officer at headspace Albany, has co-facilitated Spectrum for the past 3.5 years – a free social group for young people aged 12–25 who identify as diverse in sexuality and/or gender. Spectrum is proudly run in partnership with Albany Pride, strengthening connection between young people and the broader LGBTQIA+ community in Kinjarling. The group creates a safe, welcoming space where young people can build connection, have fun and simply be themselves, with no pressure to label or share anything they’re not comfortable with.
As part of Albany Pride Festival 2026, Spectrum is hosting a Pride Games Night at the Albany Library – an inclusive, low-key evening of board games, laughter and connection. With all activities offered at zero cost, Spectrum ensures young people can access safe social opportunities and celebrate Pride in a supportive environment.
There is an incredible array of events in the Pride Festival lineup, ranging from the loud and proud Drag Bingo, to smaller lowkey celebrations such as the Bi+ Picnic. Pride Fair Day is always a highlight for all ages, with famlies, young people and the entire community attending to enjoy over 30 stallholders filling up the Town Square.
