2024
Host
Keynote
Tomi Grainger
Bree Mountain
Entertainer
Cassandra The Queen
Hosted in BCG’s Sydney Office (on Gadigal Country).
In the weeks after the awards night, there will be state parties in ACT, NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, and WA.
Entertainer
Camilla Bellstedt
2024 Category Winners
Community Advocate
Gabriel Osborne
Gabriel is a 25-year-old transgender man advocating for LGTBQIA+ protections in Western Australia. After experiencing conversion practices and other abuses within residential care as a teen, he has shared his story to push for ending LGBTQIA+ conversion practices in Western Australia. In 2023 he co-founded Flying Free, a not-for-profit advocating for change and supporting other survivors of abuse.
Inclusion & Belonging Champion
Erfaan Arif
Erfaan is a tech enthusiast currently working as a Technical Account Manager at Asana. He's been heavily involved with the company's queer employee resource group called "Team Rainbow" for over 5 years and is also the current co-lead creating programming for Queer employees and allies at Asana across their 12+ global offices!
Regional Legend
Lulkbudia Ali McLean Gerrard
Lulkbudia Ali Mclean Gerrard is a proud Miriwoong Gajerrong person from Kununurra in the East Kimberley of WA. They are an artist, DJ, youth worker and event producer organising around collective empowerment and queer black joy in regional, remote and metro WA.
Rising Star
Claud Bailey
Claud is an award-winning filmmaker, program producer, youth advocate and co-founder of TRANSMEDIUM based on Gadigal Land. Claud's films have been seen all over the world (Sydney Film Fest, MIFF, Newfest) and they were awarded the Emerging Filmmaker Award at Mardi Gras Film Festival in 2023. Claud also works at Heaps Decent, a not-for-profit arts organisation as their Community Outreach Manager.
Standout Student
Khwanruethai Ngampromwongse
Khwanruethai is a proud Wiradjuri, Ngemba Wayilwan, and Thai PhD candidate with a passion for the health rights of LGBTQISB+ and First Nations. Their research dives into how race, sexual orientation, and gender identity intersect in cervical screening, aiming to strengthen cultural safety and affirming care practices. Their work addresses barriers faced by queer Blackfullas, ensuring their voices are heard..
Special thanks to these brands for donating to the Winners Gift Box!
2024 Winners
ACT
Lewching is a lived and living experience advocate in the spaces of mental health, suicide prevention, and violence prevention. As a queer woman of color and first-generation migrant, Lewching pushes for system co-design and organizational governance that champions intersectionality and cultural safety at its heart.
LewChing Yip
NSW
Abbey founded Cheers Queers, inspired by the events she wished existed during her youth as a queer person in a regional town. It provides a judgement-free space for the community to connect, while also celebrating queer arts in areas that may not otherwise. Abbey has recently launched a regional queer storytelling night, uniting people through their queer experiences, offering insight and fostering solidarity within the regional queer community.
Abbey Hannan
Amelia is a multidisciplinary artist working across multiple sectors within the film and theatre industries. Through their production company Moon Bureau, they’ve created and produced multiple critically acclaimed and award-winning works. Amelia has also spearheaded projects like Changing Face International Film Festival and QueerWrites to improve access and support the development of underrepresented artists.
Amelia Gilday
Claud is an award-winning filmmaker, program producer, youth advocate and co-founder of TRANSMEDIUM based on Gadigal Land. Claud's films have screened at film festivals all over the world (Sydney Film Fest, MIFF, Newfest) and they were awarded the Emerging Filmmaker Award at Mardi Gras Film Festival in 2023. Claud also works at Heaps Decent, a not-for-profit arts organisation as their Community Outreach Manager.
Claud Bailey
Erfaan is a tech enthusiast currently working as a Technical Account Manager at Asana. He's been heavily involved with the company's queer employee resource group called "Team Rainbow" for over 5 years and is also the current co-lead creating programming for Queer employees and allies at Asana across their 12+ global offices!
Erfaan Arif
Haze is an advocate for young neurodiverse LGBTQIA+ people and people with Tourette Syndrome. They are a teacher in Western Sydney and an a peer-mentor and educator with the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia. Haze has overcome explicit ableism and anti-queer discrimination to make a meaningful difference. Their work bridges both the disability and queer communities, making the most of their tics to spark conversation and educate.
Haze Elford
Jasmine / Barbi Ghanoush is a proud non-binary lesbian Lebanese drag queen. Barbi made history by leading the first "Queer Arabs Australia" Mardi Gras float in 2024. Despite only getting into drag for the first time 2 years ago, Barbi has graced the Domain stage alongside G Flip at the World Pride closing party in 2023, and can regularly be found at iconic events like Sydney Mardi Gras, Sydney Fringe Festival, Melbourne Fringe Festival, Birdcage, GiRLTHING and Canned Fruit.
Jasmine Noud
Jasmine is an Empowerment Specialist, expert in the workings of the unconscious mind, and a transgender woman. She's Aboriginal, from South Australia, vegan, polyamorous, autistic, INFJ, and she uses her experience as a trans woman, a coach, inspirational speaker, soon to be author, and a HR professional to help others find greater levels of empowerment and love for their authentic selves.
Jasmine Vine
Joe is a proud Non-Binary Palestinian person living on Gadigal land. As part of their advocacy, Joe co-founded Trans, Non-Binary & Queer Women’s party "MEDUSA Queer Events " and founded a local Sydney community group ‘Trans Masc & Non-Binary Community Sydney’. Joe is proud to represent the Non-Binary community as a Non-Binary person of colour, and hopes to continue to build representation and community through their advocacy and work.
Joe Mansour
Mark is a Filipino writer, model, comedian and content creator from Blacktown on Darug land. Proudly fat, femme and Asian, Mark’s work spans across BuzzFeed, SBS, ABC, Queerstories and Ending HIV. Mark starred in ACON’s ‘With Love’ Sydney WorldPride campaign, and most recently landed silver in iHeartRadio and Blakcast’s Find and Tell national podcast storytelling competition.
Mark Mariano
Rhian is a writer and lawyer at King & Wood Mallesons. He is deeply committed to supporting marginalised members of our community, through his involvement with the Pinnacle Foundation, and the Sydney Co-Coordinator of King & Wood Mallesons’ LGBTQI+ network ‘LINK’. He has also published on LGBTQI+ related issues in Honi Soit and Yemaya (where he was also Co-Editor-in-Chief) and recently performed at Queerstories.
Rhian Mordaunt
Sarah is an award winning Pasifika, queer and neurodiverse writer, performer and producer based on Dharug Land, currently working as development producer at Jessica Magro's Purple Carrot Entertainment. Sarah has two successful one woman shows under her belt, and has been published with ACON and The Writing Zone. They have been on panels with the Blue Mountains Writers Festival (2023) Currency Press Playwrights Festival (2023) and Young Writers Festival (2022).
Sarah Carroll
QLD
Beta works to support the Karisma RIS, used in public and private radiology settings across AU/NZ, and is founder and facilitator for Kestral's rainbow network. They are passionate about the role tech plays in supporting inclusion and respect in healthcare settings for TGD patients. After writing and submitting a detailed internal proposal in 2023, Beta has been proud to see the changes they advocated for rolled out in hundreds of imaging clinics and hospitals nationally.
Beta Green
Callum is a dedicated advocate, radio host, and event producer for the LGBTQIA+ community based in Redland City. As one half of the ‘So Bae Party Mix’ on Bay FM 100.3, this radio show shines the spotlight on artists, performers, local events, and even international stars, with a heavy focus on the LGBTQIA+ community. Callum co-produced the Bay Pride at Wynnum Fringe in 2023, and is currently working to produce Bay Pride’s return in November as part of Melt Festival.
Callum Cantrill
Khwanruethai is a proud Wiradjuri, Ngemba Wayilwan, and Thai PhD candidate with a passion for championing the health rights of LGBTQISB+ and First Nations communities. Their research dives into how race, sexual orientation, and gender identity intersect in cervical screening, aiming to strengthen cultural safety and affirming care practices. Khwanruethai’s work addresses the compounded barriers faced by queer Blackfullas, ensuring their voices are centred in healthcare policy and practice.
Khwanruethai Ngampromwongse
SA
Chloe is a queer, alternative woman completing a PhD in marine science. Focusing on the diet and movement of sharks and rays, she is passionate about making science accessible for everyone and advocating for the protection of the lesser-known species of sharks and rays. They work with a range of community organisations, university groups, and council officials to deliver scientific information, spread awareness on the risks to marine wildlife, and advocate for the conservation of Australia’s sharks and rays.
Chloe Nichola Roberts
Malcolm is a consultant within the Deloitte Centre for Innovation & Technology, and is passionate about strategy, operations and sustainability. Prior, Malcolm served as the president of the Adelaide University Entrepreneur club and undertook internships across non-profits, government and academia. Malcolm has recently helped mentor student startups for the Australian EChallenge.
Malcolm Hang
Zara is a Queer Researcher, Youth Advisor, Public Speaker, and Co-founder of the Queer Youth Research Consortium. Starting her career at age 14, Zara has delivered Queer joy, history, and mental health education to more than 845 young people and educators. Zara is responsible for the rollout of free HIV rapid self-testing kit dispensing machines nationwide, building the capacity of LGBTIQA+ professionals as Co-founder of QYRC, and is involved in several LGBTIQA+ advisory panels across Australia.
Zara Boulton
TAS
Ash is a medical researcher who works to build places of safety and acceptance. Ash is currently working at the University of Tasmania leading a large project which will improve how digital systems handle names, genders, titles, and pronouns, allowing thousands of staff and students to have their identities respected during study and work. Ash is an advisor to the Tasmanian Department of Health, and a board member of Equality Tasmania.
Dr Ash Russell
VIC
Alicia is a passionate communications graduate with a love for diversity and inclusion, recognised as a Pinnacle Foundation Scholar and a Minus18 Young Leader in 2024. Alicia is always advocating and supporting the LGBTQIA+ community through her studies, work, and volunteer roles. Being queer is important to Alicia, as is the significance of intersectionality, advocating for the celebration of cultures and neurodiversity, particularly in relation to her Chilean-Australian heritage.
Alicia Herrera
Chiron moved to Australia 2 years ago, and works at Thorne Harbour Health as the Conference & Events Coordinator, coordinating events to bring together and support LGBTQ+ communities and people living with HIV+ in Victoria. Chiron has led the delivery of events including a 40th-anniversary charity ball, the national LGBTIQ+ Women's Health conference, World AIDS Day, HIV Still Matters awareness campaign, and a program of Pride events with Midsumma and regionally around Victoria.
Chiron Hooson
Connor is a final year medical student and public health researcher passionate about transforming health care through effective health policy and evidence based medicine. He is currently conducting research into the barriers faced by trans and gender diverse people in sexual and reproductive health care at the World Health Organization. As Connor begins his medical career, he is looking forward to continuing to advocate for equitable health care, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Connor Luke Allen
Isabella is an Associate Lecturer and PhD candidate at La Trobe University. Her research focuses on the Wagner Group, a private military organisation linked to the Putin regime, and its role in global politics. Passionate about documenting and advocating for accountability in instances of sexual and gender-based violence, Isabella is committed to highlighting the exploitation of vulnerable populations by the group.
Isabella Currie
Junyi (Johnny) is a passionate student leader from the Wurundjeri land of the Kulin Nation. Being the Vice President of the Graduate Student Association, and a current Academic Board member at the University of Melbourne, he has been instrumental in championing student rights and well-being. He played a pivotal role in campaigning international student advocacy, and promoting cultural diversity and LGBTQIA+ inclusion on campus and beyond.
Junyi Zheng
Leonard is a proud queer man whose passion lies in supporting LGBTQIA+ charities to thrive. As the Program Manager at GiveOUT, he leads GiveOUT Day, an annual campaign that brings together rainbow not-for-profits to raise funds and celebrate the amazing work of the LGBTQIA+ community sector. Leonard was also part of the inaugural Minus18 Young Leaders Program and is currently completing his Honours studies in the Bachelor of Science - Advanced Global Challenges at Monash University.
Leonard Curmi
Nic is the Chair of The Pinnacle Foundation Victorian Committee, and works as a senior consultant at Ellipsis & Co. Nic is particularly enthusiastic about reducing barriers to education for other regional, rural, and remote LGBTQIA+ young people. He has previously completed the graduate program at L’Oréal Australia where he was also a founding member and inaugural treasurer of the L’Oréal Pride Committee.
Nicholas Bills
Thalia established Therapy Shmerapy to challenge traditional approaches to mental health after recognising significant gaps in mental health services for neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ individuals. In less than a year, this groundbreaking practice has grown into a nation-wide telehealth service, offering lived and living experience counselling and peer support to these communities. As a proud AuDHDer and queer individual, Thalia is dedicated to making support accessible to all.
Thalia Koulas
WA
Emily Wilding is a 29 year old woman living in Western Australia with her wife and two mischievous cocker spaniels. Elected in 2021, Emily represents her local community as a Councillor for the Town of Bassendean as one of a handful of transgender elected representatives in Australia. With a background in Youth Work and community services, Emily's day job is leading a team of youth workers to deliver support to young people across a large and diverse local government area.
Emily Wilding
Gabriel is a 25-year-old transgender man advocating for LGTBQIA+ protections in Western Australia. After experiencing conversion practices and other abuses within residential care as a teen, he has shared his story to push for ending LGBTQIA+ conversion practices in Western Australia. In 2023 he co-founded Flying Free, a not-for-profit advocating for change and supporting other survivors of abuse from unregulated mental health or alcohol and other drug services.
Gabriel Osborne
Lulkbudia Ali Mclean Gerrard is a proud Miriwoong Gajerrong person from Kununurra in the East Kimberley of WA. They are an artist, DJ, youth worker and event producer organising around collective empowerment and queer black joy in regional, remote and metro WA.
Lulkbudia Ali McLean Gerrard
Selection panel
Intersectionality Lead for Pride@BCG - BCG
Emiliana Soulio
Jack Crane
Head of Diversity and Inclusion (AUS & NZ) - BCG
Alex/John Kelly
30 Under 30 2022 Winner
SA State Director - OFA
NSW State Director - OFA
Kavita Kerwar
30 Under 30 2020 Winner
First Nations Employee Experience Specialist - AECOM
Matika Little
Equity Projects Coordinator - ECU
