AGL today announced a three year extension of its sponsorship of the Midsumma Festival in Melbourne and Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Festival in Sydney.

James Bruce, Chairperson of AGL’s LGBTI+ volunteer network Shine, said AGL was proud to renew its support of these two leading events in the LGBTI+ calendar.

“Since we first announced our partnership with Midsumma in 2015 we are delighted to have seen it go from strength to strength as Australia's premier LGBTI+ cultural festival offering a range of arts, culture and community events,” Mr Bruce said.

“The same applies to Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Festival, one of Australia’s top film festivals, which has been bringing the community together to be entertained, learn and be inspired by the full spectrum of LGBTI+ stories on screen for 28 years.”

Mr Bruce said AGL has always had a major presence at the Midsumma Carnival in January each year, with the AGL Pride Parlour providing a photo booth and hair and make-up studios for the benefit of revellers in previous years.

“Our people, both those who identify as LGBTI+ and our strong ally network of parents, relatives, children and friends of the community, have always played an active role in these events,” he said.

“One of the highlights is marching proudly along Fitzroy Street in St Kilda to support diverse gender and sexuality communities in the Midsumma Pride March, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary when it is held on 2 February.”

Midsumma Festival CEO Karen Bryant said: "We are thrilled that our partnership with AGL will continue to deepen over the next three years. AGL has proven to be a committed partner, with significant initiatives that build community capacity and engagement.

"Echoing our values at Midsumma, AGL is driven by a proactive undertaking that shapes real progress around diversity as we work together towards inclusive and connected communities for the future."

Mr Bruce said Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Festival, which runs for two weeks in February, showcased powerful stories from all over the world.

“We’re pleased to continue to sponsor the Festival, which extends a relationship dating back to 2016,” he said.

“As a recognised Employer of Choice in the Australian Workplace Equality Index, AGL hopes these partnerships encourage our people to be their whole selves, in and out of the workplace.”

Queer Screen’s Mardi Gras Film Festival Director Lisa Rose said: “We couldn’t produce the festival without the fantastic support of our partners and we are thrilled to have AGL - a leader in diversity and inclusion - as part of the Queer Screen family for another three years.”