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BreastScreen Victoria encourages Bendigo’s LGBTI+ community to screen with pride

Bendigo’s LGBTI+ community came together last Saturday to celebrate Pride in the Part, the family-friendly headline event of the 2022 Bendigo PRIDE festival.

BreastScreen Victoria team members Emma and Danika spent the day meeting locals and their furry friends, handing out BreastScreen resources, and encouraging eligible LGBTI+ and  trans and gender diverse people aged 50-74 to have a two-yearly breast screen.

Health Promotion Officer Danika with Luna and Daisy.

Eliza Alford, Program Manager at Bendigo BreastScreen, also came by to meet members of her community and distribute postcards promoting our upcoming Rainbow Sessions in April. BreastScreen Victoria was in great company at the event, with key health organisations like headspace and Bendigo Health also in attendance.

Communications Coordinator Emma with Cr Julie Sloan, Councillor for the City of Greater Bendigo.

Danika believes it’s important that BreastScreen continues to have a presence at LGBTI+ events across Victoria. “Our attendance assures the community that our service is inclusive of all eligible people and the different measures BreastScreen takes to ensure this,” she said.

The day began with a touching welcome to Dja Dja Wurrung country and a traditional smoking ceremony, before the rest of the festivities kicked off. Those who stayed for the afternoon enjoyed drag performances, dance demonstrations and the crowning of the ‘Most Camp Dog’ in the Thorne Harbour Health Dog Show.

Emma and Danika with local Drag Queen Lady-Lou Bricant.

Bendigo PRIDE will run until 3 April 2022. For more information, please visit the Bendigo PRIDE Festival website.