We are a collective of LGBTQ+ people based in the Cumberland area who organise community actions and initiatives in Western Sydney to resist homophobia and transphobia fostered within Cumberland Council.Rainbow Cumberland was created in May 2024 following attempts by Cumberland Council to ban all books representing queer parents, 3 months after banning Drag Storytime events.We are supported by The Foundation for Young Australians.
In February 2024, Steve Christou of Cumberland City Council passed a motion banning drag storytime. Activists from Pride in Protest who protested this ban were met with homophobic and transphobic abuse.In May 2024, Steve Christou passed a motion banning books depicting LGBTQIA+ parents from libraries on the basis of two complaints about a parenting book on shelves. This was met with national outrage, including by the Premier and NSW Arts Minister. The local community protested outside Council chambers two weeks later and the council voted to rescind the ban. Rainbow Cumberland was established at this time to provide a platform for local grassroots coverage.In December 2024, Rainbow Cumberland received the Youth Action and Wellbeing Grant from the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA).In October 2025, Rainbow Cumberland hosted the first ever drag event in the Cumberland LGA.
Sign the Petition to Reverse the Drag Ban!
contact us: [email protected], or sign up for updates:
we regularly post updates on instagram: