R U OK? champions 'Fearless Friends' during Mardi Gras Parade

Forty marchers will take to Oxford St this Saturday emblazoned with ‘Fearless Friends’ as part of R U OK?’s support for the LGBTQI+ community at the 2019 Gay and Lesbian Sydney Mardi Gras Parade.

With LGBTQI+ youth suicide rates up to five times higher than that of their peers, suicide prevention charity R U OK? want their presence to be a visual reminder to look out for the signs that someone might be doing it tough.

R U OK? Ambassador and media personaility Jake Gablonski , from Katherine NT, will be taking part in the parade for the second year.

“As a gay man and an Aboriginal man, being here to spread the R U OK? message is probably one of the proudest and emotional moments for me,” said Jake.

“This year we will be dancing our way along Oxford St asking the community to be ‘fearless’ when it comes to looking out for one another. A ‘Fearless Friend’ is that person who’s always by your side, they’re courageous and not afraid to step up and start what can be a difficult conversation when someone’s going through a tough time.

We’ve lost far too many people from all walks of our beautiful diverse Australian community, and we can all play a part in decreasing the statistics.

“I want to encourage the Australian community as a whole (LGBTQI+ or not) to look out for those who are currently struggling with something in their life – and to empower them.”

R U OK? have worked in close consultation with the National LGBTI Health Alliance to celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQI community. Marchers will include representatives from BlackRainbow, Pinnacle Foundation and Sydney Bears. All those taking part have been touched by suicide and are passionate about spreading the R U OK? message.

R U OK? CEO Brendan Maher said: “This is an event that brings the community together to celebrate strength, unity and diversity - things that make Australia great. What better platform to remind everyone that by regularly checking-in on your mates and loved ones you too can be a Fearless Friend”

“Our marchers will represent the diversity of these Fearless Friends, they come from all walks of life but all are ready and willing to step up and be there for their loved ones. Our hope is to show everyone that you don’t need to be an expert to support those around you, just a great mate and a good listener,” she said.

R U OK?’s float is a recipient of Mardi Gras Community Parade Grant - proudly supported by Google.

In addition to a physical presence at the 2019 Gay and Lesbian Sydney Mardi Gras Festival, R U OK? will be getting the message out online through their 'Fearless Friends' hub. The hub contains resources and real stories demonstrating how to check in on their mates and loved ones in a meaningful way.

Visit: www.ruok.org.au /fearless-friends to access these free, open source resources.