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A community-centred festival celebrating LGBTQIA+ international students, migrants, alumni, creatives, and allies through connection, storytelling, creativity, cultural exchange, and community care.
Date: Thursday, 16 July 2026
Time: 4:00pm – 9:00pm
Venue: The Couch International Student Centre
Who It’s For: LGBTQIA+ international students, alumni, migrants & allies
Cost: FREE
Your Queer Neighbours Festival creates a warm and welcoming neighbourhood of care, where LGBTQIA+ international students, alumni, migrants, and allies can slow down, connect, create, share stories, and celebrate community.
Inspired by the warmth of gathering around a shared meal, this year's theme, Our Neighbourhood of Care – Hot Pot, celebrates the stories, cultures, experiences, and connections that make up our diverse communities.
Whether you want to participate in creative activities, listen to poetry, meet new people, enjoy performances, share stories, or simply relax in a quiet corner, there is a place for you.
What to expect:
Add your own paper ingredient to a community hot pot filled with stories, reflections, words of hope, and moments of shared humanity, inspired by festival participants.
A themed poetry gathering featuring warm-up activities, quiet time for writing or drawing, and a sharing circle exploring home, identity, migration, belonging, and care.
Reflect on what you miss from home, the people, places, languages, foods, and traditions you carry with you, and the ways queer communities create belonging.
Explore wellbeing resources, community information, and opportunities for connection and support.
Meet community volunteers, learn about HIV self-testing, participate in interactive activities, and access information in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
Enjoy performances celebrating diverse cultures, stories, creativity, and community experiences
Gather around food, conversation, and cultural exchange as part of our Hot Pot celebration.
A low-sensory space available throughout the festival for rest, reflection, journaling, or quieter connection.
Explore the festival through the Hot Pot Connection Ticket. Complete simple connection challenges, discover activities, meet new people, and collect stories as you journey through our neighbourhood of care.
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Nearby Tram Routes
Free Tram Zone:
The venue is located within Melbourne's Free Tram Zone, making it easy to travel around the CBD at no cost by tram.
Cost: Free
Bring: Help us practice environmental sustainability, bring your own water bottle, cups, cutleries. Disposable cups, plates and cutleries are also available.
Bring: Comfy clothes, curiosity, friends, and loved ones.
