Woy Woy could become gay-friendly arts precinct

Woy Woy could become a gay-friendly arts and culture precinct, according to a performance group describing itself as the Central Coast's leading LGBTQIA+ counter culture and arts organisation.

The Naughty Noodle Fun Haus group is currently planning "the Central Coast's first ever Pride festival", Twist Coastal Festival, to be held at venues across Umina, Woy Woy and Ettalong from October 4 to 6.

The ultimate goal of the Naughty Noodle was to bring visibility to the Central Coast's large but hidden LGBTQIA+ community, according to its chair, Mr Juan Iocco

"We are the third most populous region in NSW, with a population over 325,000.

"We are also the ninth largest urban area by population in Australia.

"Yet we are the only region in the top 10 most populated regions with zero LGBQIA+ visibility and, more specifically, no queer friendly inclusion, festival or celebration events," Mr Iocco said.

"Twist Coastal Festival will be the first LGBTQIA+ celebration of its kind for the Central Coast and it's happening exclusively across the Peninsula.

"This is ground breaking and is our opportunity to celebrate, build and strengthen community ties and cement the Peninsula as the Central Coast's major LGBTQIA+ arts, culture and inclusion destination.

"We are anticipating huge turnout of visitors from all over Australia which will bring a diverse mix of artists, performers, social-changers, culture-makers, communities and audiences together and we want to see as many Coasties, LGBTQIA+, questioning or otherwise, there with us," he said.

Naughty Noodle had already delivered several events across the Peninsula, including Summer Spandex, Clambake and most recently, Rayon Riot, all designed to give marginalised artists and entertainers opportunities while highlighting what locals can expect to see at the region's first ever Pride, he said.

For more information about Twist Coastal Festival, including how to get involved, is available on the Naughty Noodle Fun Haus website.

SOURCE:

Media release, 10 Apr 2019

Glitta Supernova, Naughty Noodle Fun Haus

Interview (Dilon Luke), 15 Apr 2019

Glitta Supernova and Juan Iocco, Naughty Noodle Fun Haus