A proposed inaugural Mardi Gras celebration in the New South Wales central west has been cancelled for the third year in a row resulting in fears for its future.
In 2020, Orange was expected to host the Rainbow City Festival, which would have been the first Mardi Gras-style celebration to occur in the city.
However, the pandemic resulted in the cancellation of the festival in 2020 and 2021.
Festival organiser Trevor Slattery said the pressures of COVID had put an end to the parade.
"COVID was at the forefront of our minds when we were looking at possibilities," he said.
Instead of carrying out a festival this year, Mr Slattery said they had organised monthly catch-ups for members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Mr Slattery said this was more reflective of the community's needs at the moment.
"What people are coming out for and attending might look slightly different now to what it looked like in 2019 when we first started talking about this event," he said.
"Rather than just coming out for one weekend a year, you're going to have multiple opportunities throughout the year."
'It is ridiculous'
Mr Slattery said he hoped the festival would take place "in some shape or form in the future", but it was no longer a priority.
However, John Vandenburg, the owner of the only gay and lesbian bar in Orange, the Blind Pig, said he was very disappointed with the decision.
"No longer what the community needs? Wow, no, I don't agree with that at all," he said.
"How has our community changed so much that we don't need what is happening everywhere else in Australia, but Orange doesn't need it anymore?"
Mr Vandenburg said the festival was going to be a vital event for raising awareness among the local community.
"A lot of people don't seem to realise the next-door neighbour might be gay, the lady across the road might be lesbian, or the gentleman around the corner is transsexual.
"It is ridiculous."
Bathurst Mardi Gras going ahead
The family-friendly Bathurst Mardi Gras event will be going ahead as planned for the third year in a row.
Drag queen and host of the event, Miss Betty Confetti, who had no involvement in the decision to cancel the Rainbow City Festival, said having Mardi Gras in the region was vital for the queer community.
"It reaffirms that Bathurst is a safe place for everyone in the LGBTQIA+ community, and I think that is really important," they said.
Miss Confetti said it was a privilege Bathurst could host an event of this nature and was a testament to the '"growing LGBTQI+ community".
"Just being present is really important, particularly in country New South Wales," they said.
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