Sixth annual Port Hedland Pride Parade celebrates visibility in regional WA

By Katherine glass

Prawn Cracker Spice. Photographed by Samara Diaz and Jasper McDonald Blair

The sixth annual Port Hedland Pride Parade has brought colour, music and a strong message of inclusion to MARAPIKURRINYA Port Hedland, as Pilbara Pride celebrations continued across regional Western Australia.

Held as part of the Pilbara Pride Festival 2026, the parade drew community members, families, performers, local organisations and allies into the heart of town, with events continuing across the day and into the night.

This year’s festival included Pride markets, Rainbow Story Time, community activities and a finale party at the Walkabout Hotel, with drag performers including Hannah Conda, Prawn Cracker Spice and other visiting artists.

PHLAGS+ co-founder Gloria Jacob said the group began in 2011 after she and her wife Nikki Jacob saw a need for a safe community space for LGBTQIA+ people in Port Hedland.

She said the group started with simple gatherings in local parks, bringing together friends, allies and community members.

Event Co-Founder Gloria Jacob. Photographed by Samara Diaz and Jasper McDonald Blair

“We created this group because there wasn’t really a space for LGBTQA+ people to gather and feel safe about where they are and who they are,” Ms Jacob said.

She said visibility was especially important for young people in regional towns.

“We want to be seen and visible and create awareness in the community that for youth in particular, there is community in town and it’s okay to be you,” she said.

Port Hedland Mayor Jacinta, who attended the event, said Pilbara Pride had become an important part of the local calendar.

“These events are really important for regional communities because it shows diversity and inclusion,” she said.

“We want our community to be a place where everybody can belong and stay.”

Pride performers, organisers and volunteers. Photographed by Samara Diaz and Jasper McDonald Blair

Among those taking part was Matthew Sweetland, the son of Gloria Jacob, who said the festival had given people room to be more open with themselves and others.

“I have gained such a capacity to love more of the parts of myself that I’ve been suppressing, that I’ve been hiding, denying,” he said.

“If that’s not an important reason to learn to love the self so we can love that neighbour, then I don’t know what is.”

Cougar Morrison. Photographed by Samara Diaz and Jasper McDonald Blair

Drag performer Hannah Conda, who grew up in Western Australia and has performed on RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under and UK Versus the World, said returning to regional communities was a meaningful part of her work.

She said coming to places like Port Hedland was a chance to bring performance, humour and visibility to people who were often overlooked.

“To be able to come up into regional spaces and provide a little bit of love and glitter and sparkle and bring some joy to people, it’s a highlight for me,” she said.

Hannah said she grew up in York, in the Wheatbelt, and understood the feeling of being from outside a major city.

“People in the country and the regions, they get kind of looked over,” she said.

“They are so loving and so kind.”

Darwin drag performer Prawn Cracker Spice also took part in the festival, including Rainbow Story Time, where children and families gathered for books, songs and dancing.

Prawn Cracker Spice. Photographed by Samara Diaz and Jasper McDonald Blair

She said regional Pride events helped people feel less alone.

“It really shows the importance of pride festivals and having all of these events for the community, to show that they are loved and accepted and that everyone belongs,” she said.

She said Rainbow Story Time was about creating a safe and welcoming space for children and families.

“We read books, and we sing nursery rhymes, and the kids come with such an open heart,” she said.

“It’s just so nice to be able to remind them that they are beautiful and loved.”

Community members at the parade said the event sent an important message in a regional town.

Local Police attended the Parade. Photographed by Samara Diaz and Jasper McDonald Blair

Local resident Tanya Murray said she was proud to see Port Hedland embracing the celebration.

“It’s all about creating safe spaces for everybody to be who they are,” she said.

“It’s all about love and respect.”

St John Ambulance volunteer Virtue said it was the first Pride event she had attended and described it as a powerful show of support.

“It’s a small community and it’s hard for people to come out and be themselves,” she said.

“Having pride events like this just makes them feel seen.”

Some Ting Wong. Photographed by Samara Diaz and Jasper McDonald Blair

The Youth Involvement Council was also part of the celebrations, taking home the award for best float.

PHLAGS+ said the festival remains volunteer-led, with support from community members, sponsors and local groups.

For organisers and attendees, the message from the parade was clear: Pride in the Pilbara is about safety, visibility and making sure people know they belong