15 May 24

Mark Mariano

Best queer events in Western Sydney

Party with your pals or make some new ones at these coming Westie queer community events

Although we’re anything but a hop, skip and jump away from Oxford St and its bustling event calendar, us Westie queers still know how to host. Want to spend some time in community – in person and locally? We’ve got you and The Area covered. From bottomless brunches and drag bingo to workshops and theatre productions, here are some of the best queer events in Western Sydney.

But first, some event etiquette

Whether you’ve come to boogie, watch, or learn (or all of the above), it’s always important to be mindful and respectful of the space you’re in. Drink and partake responsibly, and show extra love to your LGBTQIA+ elders. Back your rainbow siblings wherever you can, and hold space for those still figuring it out. Listen out for instructions in case of emergency, stay sun-safe & hydrated, but most importantly, keep on serving slay! 

This article will be updated periodically. For any inaccurate listings or if you’d like your event to be added, please send us a direct message on either Facebook or Instagram and the team at Ending HIV will look into it!

Coming queer events in Western Sydney in 2024

Heading out to one of these events in Western Sydney could be the perfect way to make some new queer friends, who knows, your next gay bestie could be waiting for you there!

May

• Tuesday, May 21, 5.30pm to 8pm: ACON is hosting Trans Vitality workshops, with outposts available in Parramatta and online. These sessions are for and created by trans communities in NSW. They aim to create comfortable spaces for trans people to gather, connect, and learn from one another. For intake info and sessions, register here.
• Monday, May 20 from 7pm: Drag Bingo at Riverstone Schofields Memorial Club, hosted by Prada Clutch! Details here.
  
• Saturday, May 25, 12pm to 4pm: Sip, Sail, Slay at The River Boat Bar’s (Nepean River) bottomless drag brunch! DJ Dutch Kiss will man the booth as gaggle of drag queens do their thang! Tickets and more info here.
• Saturday, May 25 at 8pm: The Joan, Penrith presents Bohemian Rhapsody – Made In Heaven, a tribute tour of Queen’s best hits performed by Thomas Crane. Grab tickets here.
  
• Tuesday, May 28, 6.30pm to 9.30pm (running weekly til’ Tuesday, June 18): Spark presents Start Making Sense, a series of socialising workshops for gay, bi+, queer men (trans and cis) ages 18-26. Learn about HIV, sexual health and how to stay safe when hooking up! Register your interest here.
  
• Friday, May 31, 8pm to 10pm: Calling all Foxy Morons! Kath & Kim drag bingo is coming to the EVAN Theatre at Penrith Panthers. Prizes to be won. Tickets and info here.

June

• Saturday, June 22 from 7.30pm: PASH Western Sydney presents their debut Out West Pride Party. DJs, dancing and drag galore at Dundas Sports Club. Grab tickets here.

Ongoing (as at May 2024)

• Monthly on Sundays: Hosted by Rainbow Families at The Orchard in Jamisontown, their West of Sydney Penrith Catch Ups are an opportunity for queer parents and families to chat, hang and connect. Find more info here.
  
• Tuesday nights: Want to learn more about the illustrious ballroom community? The Street University Liverpool is hosting weekly sessions for eager spectators to learn, and for ballroom community members to train. Follow @ballroomaustralia on Instagram for updates and info.
• Tuesday nights: Turbo Trivia at The Penrith Hotel, hosted from 7pm by drag queen June Richards.
  
• Tuesday nights: Shuttle Swingers Women’s Badminton Club for LGBTIQ & Allies run a weekly Badminton Social event at Silverwater (Alpha Badminton Centre, Egerton), from 7pm. More info here.
• Wednesday nights: Twenty10’s OUTwest social support program is back at headspace Parramatta. Running every Wednesday from 5pm, this alternating space (for ages 12-18 and 18-25 separately) is a relaxed and informal spot to hang out and connect with others. For calendar dates and info, head here.

Related article: Where to get HIV and STI checks in Western Sydney 

Mark Mariano (he/him) is a Filipino writer, model and podcast producer from Doonside in Western Sydney on Dharug land. Proudly queer, his work has been featured on Buzzfeed, SBS, ABC, and Queerstories. In 2023, he contributed to ACON’s editorial anthology ‘Stories Out West’, and starred in their ‘With Love’ campaign for Sydney WorldPride as ‘sexy sickly bear’. Mark loves thrifting and crying on public transport in hopes of getting scouted for a Netflix series.