Announcing our 2020 Community and Health Advisory Committee
May 14, 2020
Feast is excited to announce our 2020 Community and Health Advisory Committee, featuring an incredible group of LGBTIQ+ South Australians from a variety of community and health backgrounds.
Zac Cannell
Zac is an out and proud bisexual trans man. He co-founded and ca-facilitates TransMasc SA, operates the Trans Health SA website, is co-admin for FTM Australia, is a Sexual Health Counsellor for SHINE SA, and Peer Worker for SHINE SA’s Gender Wellbeing Service. Zac is also a Master Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and public speaker/educator in the areas of sexuality and gender diversity. Zac has a history of political and community advocacy, and a passion for promoting human rights of marginalised and oppressed groups.
Matthew Morris
A Community Worker with Bfriend, an LGBTIQA+ peer support service that’s run by Uniting Communities. He has worked in the community services sector for 10 years, and he is passionate about the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people. Matt has been part of the Feast Community and Health Advisory Committee for the last few years, with a particular interest in ensuring that Feast includes opportunities for LGBTIQA+ people to connect with one another and with community through a wide variety of events.
Sue Gallpen
Along with partner Sarah Gallpen, the pair own Adelaide’s LGBTIQ venue Diverse-City, a licensed performance venue with regular events for the Rainbow and wider communities. Involved with Feast over the past few years, they have established a Feast Hub and venue for a wide variety of performing artists as well as mobile catering for Feast opening nights and Picnic in the Park.
Bill Gaston
Part of the LGBTI Connect Team at ECH which provides culturally safe connection to aged care services for members of the SA community. Bill is a member of the LGBTI Advisory Group which guides the services and programs of the Rainbow Hub at COTA SA. A retired social worker, Bill is keen to support the LGBTI community in effective ways. He has been involved in previous Feast events for both organisations including an intergenerational coffee night and a transgender workshop. Bill is looking forward to being involved again in 2020.
Valda Young
Since coming out at 41 I have contributed to our Community on the Committee of the GOLDEN Club long enough to get Life Membership, was on the SA Samesex Dancesport Committee for 14 years and as the Chairperson for a number of those years which involved me with FEAST and Team Adelaide. My first involvement in FEAST was as a member of the band at an Opening Night at the Lion Arts Theatre many years ago. I sing in a duo called Citrus Sistas and we have organized and sang at dances during FEAST for the last few years.
Jenny Scott
A proud Trans woman and has been an advocate for LGBTIQ rights since coming out in 1993. She exhibited in the first Feast Festival in 1997 and has been associated with Feast in various rolls since then.
Belinda McKeown
Belinda has been involved with Feast both on a performance and production level for a few years now. She loves seeing outside the square and creating opportunities for all people to be able to showcase their talents and aspirations.
Kirsty Degabriele (They/Them)
Is a Social Worker who is currently working as a Mental Health Clinician and Team Leader at SHINE SA’s Gender Wellbeing and Gender Connect Country SA services. Kirsty also works within UniSA’s Counselling Services. Kirsty has been a long term supporter of the FEAST Festival, and more recently, has created the LGBTIQA+ Youth Drop In Extravaganza FEAST event in partnership with other key services.
Bruce Thompson
Founder of Bluey Boronia, a quirky gift store in the CBD encouraging LGBTQ+ visibility, age and body positivity. You can find a range of rainbow and mindfulness merchandise. Bruce has held two Feast Festival group exhibitions titled “Is This A Gay Shop?” and “Push My Button” which continue today with DIY badge buttons being generated in-store from community input. Bruce continues to support and promote the LGBTIQ+ communities in anyway he can and is looking forward to holding more events and activities in the future.
Kate Toone (she/her)
Secretary of the Pride Adelaide committee, a social worker, PhD candidate studying lesbian sex workers, and small business operator living on Kaurna land. This is Kate’s first year on the Feast community and health advisory committee after attending the festival religiously for a number of years. Kate is passionate about intersectionality, social justice and queer culture.
Also joining the committee is; Grace Mitchell, Neil Clegg, Martin Bogovic, Lucy Hackworth, Skye Bartlett and Daniel Jeffries.