Sydney WorldPride, the biggest LGBTQIA+ festival in the world, will take over the Harbour City for 17 days from tomorrow, with an expected 500,000 participants taking part across 300 free and ticketed events.
Minister for the Arts and Tourism Ben Franklin said the stage was set for WorldPride, to celebrate Sydney's diverse LGBTQIA+ community.
"This journey started in October 2019 when Sydney won the rights to host WorldPride 2023. In 2021 the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government signed on as the first major partner, reinforcing its commitment to grow the State's visitor economy and celebrate its world-renowned LGBQTIA+ community," Mr Franklin said.
"From tomorrow, WorldPride 2023 will showcase Sydney to a global audience and inject $112 million into the visitor economy.
"We are the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to host WorldPride and we're incredibly excited to welcome people from across the globe to join the ultimate celebration."
Sydney WorldPride Chief Executive Kate Wickett said Sydney WorldPride would be both a glittering celebration for the global LGBTQIA+ community and a huge opportunity for the city.
"In putting on the largest LGBTQIA+ festival that Australia has ever seen, we are extremely grateful for the support we have received from the NSW Government, the NSW Police Force, the emergency services and ACON to make this festival a success. Do it all, see it all, connect with your community and enjoy Sydney," Ms Wickett said.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Anthony Cooke, said police are proud to support our LGBTIQA+ communities on the international stage.
"Throughout the festival, general duties police officers will be assisted by specialist commands, including the deployment of our LGBTIQA+ Liaison Officers - GLLOs - to ensure people are able to enjoy events and experience all that Sydney has to offer safely," Assistant Commissioner Cooke said.
Transport for NSW Chief Operations Officer Howard Collins said customers will ride with pride as they move around the city on public transport.
"To celebrate WorldPride coming to Sydney and encourage the use of public transport, rainbows will appear across the transport network. This will include wrapped buses and trains, and rainbow light rail stops at Circular Quay and Central Station from early next week," Mr Collins said.
"The best way to get to and from all Sydney WorldPride events is by public transport. There will be plenty of extra services across trains, light rail and buses during Sydney WorldPride."
Acting NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Jan Fizzell said NSW Health wishes everyone an enjoyable and safe time celebrating WorldPride.
"If you do need to access health services they will be available and please don't hesitate to seek help by calling 000 for an ambulance," Dr Fizzell said.
"If you require non-urgent medical advice many health services are offering extended service hours or dedicated clinics such as, pharmacies, general practice, public sexual health clinics and dedicated prevention hubs."
More information on the Sydney WorldPride program can be found at www.sydneyworldpride.com.
For information on public transport for Sydney WorldPride, including extra services and trip planning, visit transportnsw.info. For information on road closures and changed traffic conditions, visit livetraffic.com.
