Pride in the name of love
As Australia’s first Pride Centre takes shape, Jude Munro AO talks about why bricks and mortar can help us to build a more inclusive and cohesive society.
The design for Australia’s first Pride Centre was unveiled last week, with an “iconic and uplifting” design by Grant Amon Architects and Brearley Architects and Urbanists.
Munro, chair of the Victorian Pride Centre board and long-time CEO and equality activist, says the symbolism of the building is significant.
“The Pride Centre lies at the heart of a cohesive society,” she says.
“The Centre will be the opposite of being hidden, and will underpin society’s acceptance of its own diversity.
“For our community, coming out is crucial to our acceptance of ourselves, and a building like this reinforces confidence in us individually, and as a group within society,” she says.
“Our aim is for the Pride Centre to be the most loved, well-known and visited home for LGBTIQ people in Australia. This will be a place of celebration, and a place to showcase our diversity. We are also expecting it will become an international tourist destination.”
Munro says the marriage equality outcome underscored the acceptance of the LGBTIQ community within Australian society. “This building will reinforce that,” she adds.
The Victorian Pride Centre will be part funded by the state government, which has contributed $15 million to the construction. The City of Port Phillip contributed land worth $13 million.
Due to open in 2020, the facility will house 10 major LGBTIQ organisations including JOY FM, the Victorian AIDS Council, Minus18, Melbourne Queer Film Festival, Midsumma Festival, LGBTQI Multi Culture, Multi Faith Organisation, Switchboard, Team Melbourne and the Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives.
Munro says the centre will also be a “catalyst” for the revival of Fitzroy Street.
“We wanted an iconic and exuberant building – and the two architecture firms have managed to achieve that.”
The L-shaped building will span four floors across 5,0sqm, and will be flooded with light through a central egg-shaped staircase topped by glass dome.
Employing 1930s Moorish and Moroccan motifs, the design references the old St Kilda baths, the pier, Luna Park and the vaults at the Esplanade. “It’s very St Kilda”, Munro adds.
“Some of us on the board got very emotional when we saw the design, because it was just breath-takingly beautiful.”
While the feedback from the broader community has been “overwhelmingly positive”, Munro says some LGBTIQ people have reacted in a revealing way.
“Some people, having experienced many years as second-class citizens, have said ‘we don’t deserve something as beautiful as this’. And that is a reason why we must build it.”