The Big Rainbow, Australia’s first tourism destination that promotes LGBTIQA+ pride and inclusiveness, will relocate to a rural community.
Daylesford, in western Victoria, won the most votes to host the premiere of the newest “huge” icon, defeating Katherine, in the Northern Territory, Hay, in New South Wales, and Broome, in Western Australia.
The Big Rainbow Project, a campaign to honor the local LGBTQIA+ community by establishing the first LGBTQIA+ monument, included the competition as part of its celebrations.
The Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, and the Big Pineapple in Woombye, Queensland, among Australia’s Big Seven, are two of the new attraction’s competitors, according to Tim Drylie, mayor of Hepburn Shire Council.
According to him, the rainbow sign serves as a beacon for inclusivity.
It’s a cheerful image that we all equate with hope.
Daylesford will keep celebrating inclusivity and diversity, he said.
The community has a long history in the town, which has been referred to as the “gay capital” of rural Victoria.
Since 1997, it has played home to the Chillout Celebration, the biggest rural LGBT pride festival in Australia.
In March of this year, the municipal council also established its first LGBTIQA+ committee.
Other rural communities were urged by Cr. Drylie to take into account forming an LGBTIQA+ committee on their council.
“Everyone gains. People feel more connected to their communities and are more willing to become active because it uplifts them, he said.
Daylesford residents may now cast their votes for the location of the monument by participating in a community survey.
The Big Rainbow, a project financed by Tinder Australia to honor pride, diversity, inclusivity, and self-expression throughout rural Australia, was unveiled in Sydney earlier this year.
The landmark is 6 meters tall and 12 meters broad.
Members of the LGBTQIA+ and First Nations communities created it.
As part of the program, Tinder Australia also contributed $100,000 to local nonprofits that support “regional LGBTQIA+ visibility, diversity, and inclusion.”