Aussie Pride 2026: A Weekend of Celebration and Solidarity

This Pride Weekend, the Australian community in San Francisco came together in force — and we couldn't be prouder of how it all unfolded.

The day began with a Pride breakfast hosted at the Consulate, welcoming more than 70 guests for mimosas, conversation, and an early morning drag performance that set the tone perfectly. Consul-General Chris Ketter welcomed our mighty crew of Aussies and Kiwis from across the Bay Area before we headed into the city for the Pride Parade — marching together in celebration of and solidarity with our queer communities.

The joy was undeniable — and the judges agreed, awarding our contingent the Absolutely Joyful Musical Contingent Award, one of only 7 handed out across more than 300 contingents this year. 🥳🔥

But this celebration carries real weight. The bond between San Francisco and Australia's queer communities runs deep — both shaped by activism, resilience, and advocacy. It traces back to 1978, when San Francisco activists reached out to Australian allies for support against anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation, sparking the very first Sydney Mardi Gras. That solidarity carried through the HIV/AIDS crisis, as healthcare workers and allies on both sides of the Pacific stood together — supporting those affected, demanding better, and pushing back against stigma.

That shared history was reflected in a room full of people building new connections across the Pacific, and in the streets as we marched in step with it once again. Progress has always come from people choosing solidarity over silence — then and now.

A sincere thank you to everyone who made this weekend possible: Maia Keerie and Brendan McKenzie for their leadership and partnership in bringing it all together, the team at Distillery and Steve Wheen, Melissa Zajic and our own AACC SF community, Stanley Thai and Connie Lanter of Atlassian, and Haenim Kim and Andrew Winter of the Victorian Government Trade and Investment Office.

There were glamorous Australian Gala Balls, unforgettable Clashes for the Ashes cricket matches, AFL Grand Finals watched alongside hundreds of passionate Aussies squeezed into San Francisco pubs, and countless Aussie Club events introducing us to Australian founders, innovators, executives and entrepreneurs making their mark in the US.

Pride is celebration, but it's also a chance to reflect on the progress made and the journey ahead. Standing together in San Francisco this weekend, that felt more true than ever. 💛💚