February 4, 2026Northern Health was proud to once again stand shoulder to shoulder with the LGBTIQA+ community at this year’s vibrant Pride March in St Kilda on Sunday, 1 February.
The Pride March is a much-loved highlight of the annual Midsumma Festival, which runs from 18 January to 8 February 2026. After recent years of intense summer heat, participants were welcomed by cooler conditions, perfect weather for the thousands who filled the streets of St Kilda in a powerful show of visibility, celebration, and solidarity.
Marching alongside community organisations, allies, and advocates, Northern Health was represented by a diverse group of staff including Nurses, Social Workers, Dietitians, Allied Health professionals, Transcultural and Language Services (TALS), Administration and Executive. Together, they proudly wore Northern Health’s Pride T-shirts and demonstrated a shared commitment to inclusion, respect, and equality.
This year marked Northern Health’s sixth consecutive year participating in the Pride March, an ongoing reflection of the organisation’s commitment to supporting LGBTIQA+ patients, consumers, families, and staff.
“This weekend’s Pride March was a powerful reminder of why it matters to create an environment where people feel safe to be their authentic selves. I was there along with many of our staff,consumers and community members, marching, supporting loved ones, and celebrating the diversity which is very much at the heart of who we are at Northern Health,” said Debra Bourne, Chief Executive, Northern Health.
“It was a pleasure to march together with not only our Northern Health staff, but with the wider health sector and the many other businesses and organisations in our community. Together we demonstrate the importance of supporting our LGBTQIA+ community. It feels like each year we take a step closer to being a stronger and more inclusive health service,” added A/Prof Jason Cirone, Chief Allied Health Office, Northern Health.
Andrew Grey, Chair of the Rainbow Sub-Committee and Booking Team Leader within Transcultural and Language Services, said, “It was inspiring to see both familiar and new faces marching together under the Northern Health banner and as healthcare professionals, our presence matters. By showing visibly and proudly, we reaffirm our commitment to providing care that is safe, kind and together for the LGBTIQA+ Community.”
Northern Health remains committed to walking alongside the LGBTIQA+ community, not only during Pride celebrations, but throughout the year.
