Celebrating identity through Qtopia’s Pride Fest

For CEO Greg Fisher, Qtopia Sydney – the world’s largest centre for queer history and culture – is full of magic.  

He’s not alone in his thinking: a gay couple from Singapore – a country where LGBTQ+ discrimination is still rife – chose Qtopia as the setting for their engagement; a young Catholic school student felt so inspired that she came out as a lesbian to her teacher during a class excursion. 

“What we're trying to do at Qtopia is provide that safe space for people to be able to come in and explore their identity,” Fisher told The Jewish Independent.

As someone who is both Jewish and gay, Fisher has a deep understanding of the importance of identity and community. He regards being Qtopia's CEO as “the gift of a lifetime”. 

Since opening in February last year, Qtopia has grown to span over 1,750 square metres across three sites in Darlinghurst, with further expansion in the works.

The centre acts as an educational and activism hub, with 25 different exhibitions (plus 15 more to come) and a jam-packed calendar of performances that reflect the diverse and intersectional experiences of the LGBTQ+ community – from HIV/AIDS and police brutality to First Nations queer stories and drag culture. 

Added to this impressive offering is Pride Fest, Qtopia’s annual celebration of inclusivity, creativity, identity and empowerment.  

“At Qtopia, we understand that there's a responsibility to be the biggest, not just by footprint, but by impact and output. As a result, doing Pride Fest to highlight and amplify queer voices... is something we take very seriously.” 

Taking place right across June, the festival is an enormous undertaking for the non-profit, with over 150 events including comedy, theatre, film, workshops, debate, storytelling, cabaret, music, exhibitions and more.  

The festival feeds into international Pride Month, which sees queer celebrations staged globally in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, and complements Sydney’s pre-existing Mardi Gras in February and March (which moved from its original June schedule because, as Fisher jokes, “feathers don’t work very well in the winter”).

Fisher says Pride Fest’s programming this year improves upon its inaugural run in 2024.  

“It is a big step up from what we had last year... We are expecting about 7,000 people through our doors, and there are over 400 artists. Everybody is being paid, which is very important.  

“Given that we've got such a large queer population in Australia, [Pride Fest] was a no brainer for us. It's something that we just had to do, and it really is going to be a big celebration for pride in Sydney.” 

Fisher wants Pride Fest to become a recognisable major event on Australia’s cultural calendar, on par with Melbourne’s Midsumma and Adelaide’s Fringe.

“I would like to think that Pride Fest will be Sydney's answer to other big festivals around the country and continue to grow to amplify the voices of queer people and their allies. I want to really emphasise that it’s for allies [too]. In other words, anybody other than people who hate us are welcome.” 

Qtopia is also working to provide education and awareness about the intersection of Jewish and queer experiences. It’s currently partnering with the Sydney Jewish Museum – which is located less than 500 metres away – on a program that aims to teach visitors about the Holocaust from both a Jewish and LGBTQ+ perspective.  

“Through both our organisations, we can continue to grow understanding and tolerance for each other,” said Fisher about the program, which is set to launch later this year.  

“I think that it's really good that people come here [to Qtopia] and then we send them onto the Jewish Museum as well. It just shows how affinity groups support each other, and the importance of respecting people's identity, regardless of what it is.” 

For Fisher, such a collaboration is deeply personal. He grew up in a “very Jewish household”, with his parents deeply involved in a range of organisations, including Maccabi and BJE. Prior to joining Qtopia, Fisher was the general manager of Jewish community initiative Our Big Kitchen. 

Following expectations, Fisher had a wife and child, but later came out as gay and married a man. His daughter officiated the wedding, while his ex-wife and her mother attended as guests. 

“When I came out to my parents nearly 30 years ago, it was a terrifying experience. I had a real fear that I would be rejected, a real fear that my parents would be shunned from the Jewish community,” Fisher reflected. 

“I think that the days of it being terrifying are getting less, but that's not to underplay it.” 

The uniting of such distinct aspects of his identity through his role at Qtopia is something Fisher regards as a privilege and responsibility.

“We are in the electorate of Wentworth – the demographic here is [largely] Jewish and queer. I'm in a very privileged position to guide this organisation, and it's something I take really seriously.” 

Pride Fest is running now until the end of June 2025. Find out more and book tickets online.