The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association (SGLBA) is heading to the city’s west in an expansion of its popular networking event.
The SGLBA was established in 1981 and was the first queer business association in Australia. It is among a number of LGBTI+ organisations that were established as the queer rights movement gained momentum in NSW. Others included the likes of ACON (formerly the Aids Council of NSW), the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, the NSW Gay & Lesbian Rights Lobby and the Sydney Gay & Lesbain Mardi Gras.
Its popular Sydney CBD event Fruits (previously known as Fruits in Suits) connects like-minded queer business owners and professionals and is a monthly fixture on the SGLBA calendar.
The event is now expanding to Parramatta, with the first event to be held at 6pm on Thursday, August 1, at Parkroyal Parramatta.
Entry is free for everyone this month, with SGLBA looking to hold another two events in Parramatta this year before it becomes a monthly event in 2025.
Jarrod Lomas, the president of the SGLBA, encouraged all queer community members to attend the event.
“Fruits has been running in the Sydney CBD since 1996 and the SGLBA is committed to creating safe and inclusive events across our city and throughout NSW,” he said.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing Fruits to Parramatta and providing a networking and community-building opportunity to even more members of our community.”
For those based near Sydney CBD, the next Fruits event is on at 6pm on August 15 at its usual location Mezzanine House on King Street.
Eliot Hastie is a senior news producer at Channel Ten, reporting on a range of general stories, specialising in foreign affairs and LGBTQ+ stories. He’s also a reporter for Gay Sydney News, where he covers LGBTQIA+ culture, politics and nightlife. He previously helped to build and launch ausbiz, Australia's only live streaming finance news channel, where he was also an executive producer and host. He has previously worked as a finance and business journalist for publications including Fintech Business, Real Estate Business and other Momentum Media titles. Eliot holds a journalism degree from the University of Westminster and brings experience in both broadcast and digital reporting. Contact Eliot: eliot.hastie@gaysydneynews.com.au
