From humble beginnings with a handful of volunteers in 1999, Canberra's annual SpringOUT festival has grown to take pride of place in the calendar of the city's queer community.
On Saturday, the festival's Fair Day at Gorman House kicked off a month-long program of events. About 2000 people enjoyed music, food and community company in the arts centre's courtyards.
SpringOUT president Lynne O'Brien said she thought there had been a resurgence in queer pride in Canberra since the ACT recorded the highest support of any state or territory for same-sex marriage in the 2017 postal survey.
"I think it's growing, there's absolutely no doubt about it. I'd love to see it as big as or bigger than Floriade," she said.
Ms O'Brien said Canberra's queer community was smaller and more collegiate than in other places, but the relative short history meant it was easy to make things happen.
She said there was a small group of volunteers who established the event when they realised Canberra needed a pride focus.
"There was very little funding, there was peppercorn funding, I suppose you'd call it. Whereas we've got some really good support from sponsors and members, and some funding from the ACT government as well," Ms O'Brien said.
At the second SpringOUT festival in November 2000, then-festival convenor Steve Erskine said Canberra was the best place in Australia to be queer.
"One of the messages of this festival is that there are so many good consequences for being out because it means you can develop relationships and friendships in an open way and not feel you have to hide anything away," he said.
It was a sentiment echoed nearly two decades on, with a group of drag king performers telling the Sunday Canberra Times SpringOUT gave them a much-needed chance to express themselves.
"I guess it's an opportunity for us to come together as a group as kings, because drag kings don't get the attention queens get, often," performer Mr Green Teal said.
AIDS Action Council executive director Philippa Moss said Fair Day had grown from a humble picnic with between 30 and 40 people to a large, colourful event that attracted thousands.
"The community is becoming more visible, the Chief Minister is working really hard on inclusion. Mental health is becoming recognised as a significant issue for our communities.
"[There has been] acceptance through legislative change, people are prepared to come out. And for those who are allies of our community and supports, they want to be part of it too because it's fabulous and fun," she said.
Ms Moss said Canberra had long and proud history of being a welcoming city.
SpringOUT will host events until the end of the month, including a 20th anniversary masked ball on November 9 where people are encouraged to attend dressed as their authentic self.
