ALBANY PRIDE is a local group offering peer networking and support for people in Albany/Kinjarling and the surrounding regions in Western Australia for people that identify as LGBTQIA+ and their families and friends – for all ages, whether locals or visitors.

Our purpose is to provide a voice for LGBTQIA+ people in the Great Southern and to foster local support, acceptance and celebration of the Queer community in the region.

Albany Pride has been existence since 2011, when it was founded by Andrew Wenzel (headspace Albany manager) and Annie Arnold (social worker). At the time, one in five young people presenting at headspace Albany identified as being “not straight” – and Andrew and Annie were prompted to get together to see what could be achieved to better support the greater LGBTQIA+ community in Albany.

Over the last ten years, Albany Pride has become a trusted and valuable voice for the LGBTQIA+ community in Albany and surrounding regions, often being sought after by local and state media outlets to ensure information is relevant and accurate, and to advocate for the health and wellbeing of our community.

Albany Pride operates a number of social-support groups for the LGBTQIA+ community in the region, including Spectrum for LGBTQIA+ youth aged 12-25, a Social Support Group for LGBTQIA+/allies that are neurodiverse or have mental health difficulties such as anxiety or depression, regular end-of-month drinks for LGBTQIA+ adults in a public venue, a PFlag chapter, and with plans in progress to operate a Trans & Gender-Diverse social group, Transverse, and a group for Rainbow Families.