Pridefinder: The Rainbow Road Trip Podcast

by Victoria's Pride - Midsumma Festival

Pridefinder – The Rainbow Road Trip was a travelling podcast project commissioned during the 2023 Midsumma Festival as part of the State Government's initiative, Victoria’s Pride.

Helene Thomas; an award winning creative audio producer, journalist, and queer ally, developed a mobile story studio with the purpose of encouraging connection, cultivating empathy and preserving peoples experiences.

As much of Victoria ... 

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Podcast episodes

  • Season 1

  • Ashlee - Geelong

    Ashlee - Geelong

    Ashlee (she/her) is a lesbian woman who works as the Community Engagement Manager at Midsumma. In the final episode for this series, Ash discusses what it was like growing up as the daughter of arts practitioners and how this affected her coming out story. She speaks to the process of grieving your future and expectations that is entwined with coming out both for the individual and those receiving it. She also shares a little about her role at Midsumma, her hopes for the future and the ways that she is actively creating more safe spaces to be queer across Victoria. There are no significant trigger warnings for this episode, but if you find anything distressing then please seek support from a loved one or one of the helplines listed at the bottom of this description. This podcast is released every Tuesday and Friday and could not have been possible without the support of our local community partners, Midsumma and the Fairer Victoria portfolio of the Victorian State Government. Episode Credits Wayfinder, Interviewer & Editing : Helene Thomas Episode Introduction: Kat Celikaite Pridefinder Midsumma Team Ashlee Hints: Community Engagement Manager Bec Cooen: Project and Program Manager – Victoria's Pride Danae Reid: Regional Community Engagement Coordinator Felicity McIntosh: Marketing & Communications Manager Martin Broadley: Programming Administrator Want to know more about Pridefinder? www.midsumma.org.au/victorias-pride/pridefinder-podcast/ Want to know more about Helene Thomas & The Wayfinder? www.thewayfinder.com.au/ Want to be a part of the Pridefinder Podcast? We hope to continue collecting stories from regional LGBTQIA+ folk as part of the Pridefinder project each year. If you’d like to have the Pridefinder visit your community, then please email engagement.coord@midsumma.org.au to register your interest! Music Credits Intro/Outro “10c Coffee” by Clamshell “Salue” by Kai Engel “Brooks” by Kai Engel “Aesthetic Lofi Loop” by Seth Makes Sounds Seek Support If this podcast has raised difficult feelings for you, there is always support available: Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/ QLife (3pm-midnight) – 1800 184 527 | www.qlife.org.au/resources/chat Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au/support-service/chat Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling/

  • Donna - Fitzroy

    Donna - Fitzroy

    Donna (she/her) is currently a singer in a band called The Lost Girls. In this episode, Donna shares a story about a time she visited Daylesford in 1981 to perform with a feminist band called Nice Girls Don't Spit. She shares about a negative experience she had then after a show and also reflects on a more recent tour to Daylesford and how far it has come to now be a very accepting rainbow community. This episode was recorded at the Victoria's Pride Street Party, so you may hear some of the festivities of the day in the background. Trigger Warnings: Dead animals, blood, hate crime If this content may be triggering for you, then please seek support from a loved one or one of the helplines at the bottom of this description. This podcast is released every Tuesday and Friday and could not have been possible without the support of our local community partners, Midsumma and the Fairer Victoria portfolio of the Victorian State Government. Episode Credits Wayfinder, Interviewer & Editing : Helene Thomas Episode Introduction: Bec Cooen Pridefinder Midsumma Team Ashlee Hints: Community Engagement Manager Bec Cooen: Project and Program Manager – Victoria's Pride Danae Reid: Regional Community Engagement Coordinator Felicity McIntosh: Marketing & Communications Manager Martin Broadley: Programming Administrator Want to know more about Pridefinder? www.midsumma.org.au/victorias-pride/pridefinder-podcast/ Want to know more about Helene Thomas & The Wayfinder? www.thewayfinder.com.au/ Want to be a part of the Pridefinder Podcast? We hope to continue collecting stories from regional LGBTQIA+ folk as part of the Pridefinder project each year. If you’d like to have the Pridefinder visit your community, then please email engagement.coord@midsumma.org.au to register your interest! Music Credits Intro/Outro “10c Coffee” by Clamshell Seek Support If this podcast has raised difficult feelings for you, there is always support available: Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/ QLife (3pm-midnight) – 1800 184 527 | www.qlife.org.au/resources/chat Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au/support-service/chat Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling/

  • Georgi - Shepparton

    Georgi - Shepparton

    Georgi (she/her) is a queer, cis-gender, endosex 33yr old who lives with a disability, loves labels and lives in Greater Shepparton. In this episode, Georgi shares what she loves about Shepparton and the work that she does supporting LGBTQIA+ young people in the community. Georgi is a passionate advocate, she discusses some small ways that she gives back to community by volunteering and practicing using neutral language. She is a strong believer that you can't be what you can't see, and so pride for Georgi is about living visibly to gift acceptance to others. Georgi also shares about her experience of having low vision and the best ways that people can support someone living with disability while respecting their autonomy. There are no significant trigger warnings for this episode, but if you find anything distressing then please seek support from a loved one or one of the helplines listed at the bottom of this description. This podcast is released every Tuesday and Friday and could not have been possible without the support of our local community partners, Midsumma and the Fairer Victoria portfolio of the Victorian State Government. Episode Credits Wayfinder, Interviewer & Editing : Helene Thomas Episode Introduction: Deb Chumbley Pridefinder Midsumma Team Ashlee Hints: Community Engagement Manager Bec Cooen: Project and Program Manager – Victoria's Pride Danae Reid: Regional Community Engagement Coordinator Felicity McIntosh: Marketing & Communications Manager Martin Broadley: Programming Administrator Want to know more about Pridefinder? www.midsumma.org.au/victorias-pride/pridefinder-podcast/ Want to know more about Helene Thomas & The Wayfinder? www.thewayfinder.com.au/ Want to be a part of the Pridefinder Podcast? We hope to continue collecting stories from regional LGBTQIA+ folk as part of the Pridefinder project each year. If you’d like to have the Pridefinder visit your community, then please email engagement.coord@midsumma.org.au to register your interest! Music Credits Intro/Outro “10c Coffee” by Clamshell Um Pepino by Orange Cat Seek Support If this podcast has raised difficult feelings for you, there is always support available: Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/ QLife (3pm-midnight) – 1800 184 527 | www.qlife.org.au/resources/chat Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au/support-service/chat Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling/

  • David & Ka Chun (KC) - Shepparton

    David & Ka Chun (KC) - Shepparton

    David (he/him) and Ka Chun/KC (he/him) are a gay couple who have been living in Shepparton, but are currently planning to move due to feeling unsafe in the community. In this episode, David and KC detail a horrific incident in which they were the subject of an unprovoked hate crime as they were preparing for a small family gathering. KC is a doctor and also outlines some of the ways that he has been discriminated against due to his race and sexuality. However, he is very passionate about serving community in rural healthcare, so the pair now face a difficult decision. David and KC were incredibly brave to share this story with us and we hope their vulnerability highlights some of the changes communities can and need to make to be more inclusive. Trigger Warnings: Homophobia, assault, racism, hate crime This episode is quite heavy, so discretion is advised. If anything in this episode is triggering for you, then please seek support from a loved one or one of the helplines at the bottom of this description. This podcast is released every Tuesday and Friday and could not have been possible without the support of our local community partners, Midsumma and the Fairer Victoria portfolio of the Victorian State Government. Episode Credits Wayfinder, Interviewer & Editing : Helene Thomas Episode Introduction: Deb Chumbley Pridefinder Midsumma Team Ashlee Hints: Community Engagement Manager Bec Cooen: Project and Program Manager – Victoria's Pride Danae Reid: Regional Community Engagement Coordinator Felicity McIntosh: Marketing & Communications Manager Martin Broadley: Programming Administrator Want to know more about Pridefinder? www.midsumma.org.au/victorias-pride/pridefinder-podcast/ Want to know more about Helene Thomas & The Wayfinder? www.thewayfinder.com.au/ Want to be a part of the Pridefinder Podcast? We hope to continue collecting stories from regional LGBTQIA+ folk as part of the Pridefinder project each year. If you’d like to have the Pridefinder visit your community, then please email engagement.coord@midsumma.org.au to register your interest! Music Credits Intro/Outro “10c Coffee” by Clamshell “Drone background music” by Migfus20 Di Breun by Architect “Salue” by Kai Engel “Aspirato” by Kai Engel Seek Support If this podcast has raised difficult feelings for you, there is always support available: Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/ QLife (3pm-midnight) – 1800 184 527 | www.qlife.org.au/resources/chat Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au/support-service/chat Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling/

  • Ken - Shepparton

    Explicit

    Ken - Shepparton

    Explicit

    Ken (he/him) is a bisexual and polyamorous man who is an army veteran living in Benalla. In this episode, Ken shares his experience of growing up in Mansfield and some of his struggles with homophobia. After being publicly outed, Ken has chosen to use his infamy in the community for good by having his door open to anyone that needs a cup of tea and a chat. He prides himself on giving support without judgement and also loves to share his legendary cupcakes. Trigger Warnings: Coarse language, homophobia, mentions: suicide, drug use If this content may be triggering for you, then please seek support from a loved one or one of the helplines at the bottom of this description. This podcast is released every Tuesday and Friday and could not have been possible without the support of our local community partners, Midsumma and the Fairer Victoria portfolio of the Victorian State Government. Episode Credits Wayfinder, Interviewer & Editing : Helene Thomas Episode Introduction: Deb Chumbley Pridefinder Midsumma Team Ashlee Hints: Community Engagement Manager Bec Cooen: Project and Program Manager – Victoria's Pride Danae Reid: Regional Community Engagement Coordinator Felicity McIntosh: Marketing & Communications Manager Martin Broadley: Programming Administrator Want to know more about Pridefinder? www.midsumma.org.au/victorias-pride/pridefinder-podcast/ Want to know more about Helene Thomas & The Wayfinder? www.thewayfinder.com.au/ Want to be a part of the Pridefinder Podcast? We hope to continue collecting stories from regional LGBTQIA+ folk as part of the Pridefinder project each year. If you’d like to have the Pridefinder visit your community, then please email engagement.coord@midsumma.org.au to register your interest! Music Credits Intro/Outro “10c Coffee” by Clamshell Seek Support If this podcast has raised difficult feelings for you, there is always support available: Lifeline – 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat/ QLife (3pm-midnight) – 1800 184 527 | www.qlife.org.au/resources/chat Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636 | www.beyondblue.org.au/support-service/chat Suicide Call Back Service – 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/phone-and-online-counselling/