The music was pumping, beer was flowing and glitter was plastered on everyone and everything when I arrived at The Big Gay Day at The Wickham on Sunday afternoon. Despite being quite early in the afternoon, there were still plenty of people about–roving performers dancing on stilts, some rad DJ’s on the main stage commanding the outside dance floor, and rainbow emblems as far as the eye could see.

Before the crowd thickened and was shrouded by a drunken haze, I took the opportunity to see all the stalls which were lined up next to the entrance. Charities supporting causes such as HIV prevention and protection (which is especially important for a queer event) were handing out free condoms and fairy floss, and engaging a lot of punters. I was really pleased to see such important things being represented at an event that primarily targets party goers.

I ventured my way inside the venue to see what was happening. A well-toned guy wearing floral shorts danced on a table for a good minute before being removed by security and the dancefloor was a sea of sweaty adolescents getting down to some classic pop bangers. One particular guy who was teaching people how to salsa dance. Nothing really brings people together the way Wannabe by The Spice Girls does (except for maybe vodka cranberries).

The beer garden was another hotspot at TBGD. The Red Bull DJ was playing an excellent mix of club bangers, although I don’t think an Adele song should ever be remixed again. Nevertheless, through the haze of the smoking area and the copious amounts of glitter on the floor, I didn’t see a single person who wasn’t enjoying themselves. That level of energy in the air is contagious. By this point a lot of people had found a cutie to dance with (and go home with by the looks of the behaviour on the D-floor).

Later in the night the main acts drew a much larger crowd to the street stage – and for good reason. American drag superstar Sharon Needles commanded the stage with her otherworldly presence, gothic aesthetic and wickedly awful sense of humour. Passionate and driven, it was not only her music that spoke to the crowd, but also her between-song banter, which alternated between sarcasm and inspiring. Natalie Conway closed the night, and her soaring vocals (and hunky backup dancers) left the punters in awe.

Despite going home covered in glitter and other people’s sweat, The Big Gay Day warmed my heart in a way most festivals don’t. The welcoming environment, relative lack of sleazy dudes, and general good attitude of all the punters made a world of difference. Itwas so nice to feel so accepted in such a large crowd. Upon leaving The Wickham, swarms of people headed to The Beat to continue their night of queer festivities.

-Olivia Shoesmith