We’re proud of pride. To celebrate this year’s WorldPride taking place in Sydney, we’re working together with the charity Minus18 to highlight some key voices in the LGBTQIA+ community; Deli Ratnakirthi (he/him), is one our own - a manager at our Melbourne Emporium Store, Becca Herft (she/her), a member of the team over at Minus18, and the ever-iconic Karen From Finance - who you might recognise from season one of RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under.
This year, it’s a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first Australian Gay Pride Week, 45th anniversary of the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, and the 5th anniversary of marriage equality in Australia.Our charity parter, Minus18, work with young people to make sure they feel safe, empowered, and included by giving them the support they deserve and providing education for all.
Join us for a true Ted Baker celebration, honouring the diverse and wonderful LGBTQIA+ community. Go on, get inspired.
Karen from Finance
A Narrm/Melbourne based drag performer Karen from Finance found fame on season one of Rupaul’s Drag Race. Talking all things Pride, allyship and role models, Karen delves into the importance of community and the story of their own journey.
WHAT DOES PRIDE MEAN TO YOU?
"Pride is a chance to show the rest of the world why you are so proud of yourself and your community. I’ve ended up finding friends and community just through being there and being around that representation.
WHEN DID YOU START DOING DRAG AND WHY?
"I started doing drag as a hobby. And then I was obsessed and loved it. And, you know, 10 years later, here we are. One thing led to another very quickly, it was an absolute rabbit hole.
YOUR ROLE MODEL?
"My role model always has and always will be Dolly Parton. She's fabulous."
WHAT CAN ALLIES DO TO HELP THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY?
"The biggest thing that allies can ever do is to hold space for queer voices to be heard."
WHAT DOES PRIDE MEAN TO YOU?
“Pride is really just about celebrating who each of us truly is. It's kind of like a reminder of how I should be living my everyday life. It’s about letting go of all the burdens and the stress that I've had for the last, you know, couple of months. So I think, for me, it's just about reminding myself, okay, let it all go.”
HOW DO YOU THINK ABOUT CELEBRATING PRIDE?
“When I came out I wanted to showcase who I am, and be myself for my nieces and nephews. Growing up in my family with my background, and the type of society that I was surrounded with I was very self conscious - but it gives me the strength to show up as their role model.”
WHAT DO YOU STAND FOR?
“I stand for inclusivity. I also stand for non-inclusivity. But you also need to know what makes you different. No one is the same.”
WHAT CAN ALLIES DO TO HELP THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY?
“Obviously, standing up for any injustice they see and things like that. However, for me, what makes a really, really good ally isn't necessarily the big gestures.”
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
“Definitely Ian McKellen. I love him as an actor but also because he openly has become this person who just lives his authentic life.”
Rebecca
Rebecca Herft (she/her) describes herself as a proud bisexual woman of colour. She is first generation Sri Lankan, and works for LGBTQIA+ charity Minus18. For Rebecca, pride is about happiness, and being who she is. But also, it’s about education. She sees it as an opportunity to work on her understanding of the queer community, and how far there’s left to go.
HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE PRIDE?
"By attending as many events as I possibly can. I am a big sportsperson, so I love to attend as many Pride Cup sporting events across Australia. I also love to attend significant queer events with all of my beautiful queer friends and allies."
IN TERMS OF PRIDE AND WORLDPRIDE, WHAT ARE YOU PROUD OF?
"I am so proud of Australia, and that WorldPride is going to be hosted in Sydney. This is a significant event and such a beautiful opportunity for Australia to be a part of queer history."
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT ALLIES CAN DO TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY?
"Allyship needs to be visible, being visible is a really incredible way to making people feel like they can be their authentic selves. Also, support comes from education. At Minus18 we run education workshops for schools, workplaces or community organisations. Within those workshops you’re able to learn introductions to sexuality and gender, as well as trans allyship and how to be the best ally possible across the board for the entire queer community."
PRIDE IN 3 WORDS?
"Individuality, Community and Vibrant."
WHO IS THE MOST LOVING PERSON IN YOUR LIFE?
"I think the people that I love most in my life are the ones that have stood by me since the moment that I came out."
WHAT IS AN ISSUE THAT THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY IS FACING THAT PEOPLE MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT?
"Transgender people aged 14-25 are five times more likely to attempt suicide and people with an intersex variation aged 16 and over are nearly six times more likely. The world queer organisations do to support these young people is really valuable."
