Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference

"This has the potential to be not only be the most consequential of our Sydney WorldPride events, but perhaps the most consequential event for the LGBTQIA+ community in the Asia Pacific region."

- Kate Wickett CEO, Sydney WorldPride, March 1, 2023

The Human Rights Conference secured its place in history as the centrepiece of the first WorldPride festival ever to be held in the Asia Pacific region.

Our communities came together and brought to the world’s attention vital LGBTQIA+ issues, shining a spotlight on injustices in every corner of the globe and hearing about lived experiences first-hand.

We listened and learned and left this landmark event informed, inspired and ready for the challenges ahead. Together, we laid new ground to help build a world where all of us are safe, free and equal.

“Truly the best conference I have attended in my professional life. It was inspiring and informative and has changed both my work and personal engagement.”

You can read our final report to learn more about why the Conference was so important for our community, how we built it and what we all achieved.

Download the Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference's Report

The biggest LGBTQIA+ human rights conference the world has ever seen.

In March 2023 WorldPride came to Gadigal country in Sydney, Australia, with a mission to GATHER, DREAM and AMPLIFY. LGBTIQA+ communities and their allies staged a 17-day festival of pride, the centrepiece of which was the Human Rights Conference held from 1 to 3 March.

Over three days people heard from human rights defenders and activists, First Nations elders, parliamentarians, UN experts, academics and business and community leaders on the key human rights issues facing LGBTQIA+ people around the world.

Local and international press coverage brought the human rights issues faced by rainbow communities into Australian people’s homes and across the world. Australian Governments used the platform to make historic announcements that will drive change for LGBTIQA+ people on the ground both in Australia and our region.

Pre-conference caucuses, receptions and multi-lateral meetings connected policy-makers and administrators with the leaders of our movement, building momentum for change across the globe.

This landmark event set a new standard, particularly in its design and creation. During a six-month consultation process more than a thousand people from around the world shared their ideas and insights to help shape the program. Developed by a coalition of leading human rights and health groups, First Nations advisors and an International Advisory Board, the conference steered decision-makers, duty holders and changemakers into the same room and onto the same page.

Together, we elevated the voices that matter most and helped build our vision for the future, while developing the strategies, skills and connections to realise it. Thank you to everyone who was part of it.

"When you leave this place and go back to your homes - whether that be across the bridge, across the country or across the seas - we want you to feel part of an unstoppable movement for change.”
Anna Brown OAM, CEO of Equality Australia, lead community partner for the HRC, March 1, 2023

Missed a session? Catch all of the videos from the conference here:

The Stats:

3,200 attendees (2,000 in person and 1,200 online)
106 sessions, 227 presenters and facilitators from 43 countries
1,195 media mentions
150+ volunteers
1,300 people from 55 countries helped to create the program

Announcements:

Australia’s first long-term strategy and dedicated funding to help LGBTIQ+ people in Asia Pacific.
A 10-year national action plan for LGBTIQ+ health and wellbeing and $26 million for health research.
The ACT Government committed to protect the rights of intersex people in medical settings.