To celebrate Sydney WorldPride 2023, Aje and AJE ATHLETICA are joining forces to show continued support for equality and raise funds for the LGBTIQ+ community. Debuting a limited-edition, gender-neutral t-shirt, emboldened with the classic Aje logo and the message ‘LOVE WINS’, 100% of profits will go directly to Equality Australia.

Equality Australia's life-changing work relies almost entirely on donations, with an ongoing focus on ending discrimination and harm against LGBTIQ+ people, counting queer communities in the census, ending damaging conversion practices and ensuring trans and gender diverse people have access to ID documents that recognise them for who they are.

Strengthening Aje and AJE ATHLETICA's philanthropic commitment, Co-Founder Adrian Norris says: “For many people, basic human rights aren’t a given. Edwina and I are unwavering in our support of Equality Australia’s continued work in uplifting Australia’s LGBTIQ+ communities. There is still so much important work to be done.”

What does ‘Pride’ mean to you?

I have two answers to this question. The way I learnt about Pride was through my family, my ancestors, and the heroes that pridefully protected the village from invaders to keep their freedom and autonomy. So, to me, today, to carry that lineage forward, I protect my identity and the people of my community as a prideful, queer Arab woman.

And then the other element of that is that when someone asks what Pride is, it’s a moment in time that we can reflect and heal a bit more, from the shame and the guilt that has been conditioned in us as queer people. And so every year when this time comes, it’s a moment to heal collectively and heal individually. It’s an opportunity for those things to happen. And so when you ask a question like that, I say, what does my inner child need today?

What are you most looking forward to this Sydney WorldPride?

There’s a party called Club Araq. It’s on the 4th of March, and it’s a queer Arab flavoured music dance party, I’ve never been to the Pride version of it, but they do it every February usually, once a year, and it goes off, like a Lebanese wedding just for queer people—boys and girls belly dancing—everything is reversed and everyone is just dancing. I’m really looking forward to that!

What does ‘Pride’ mean to you?

Pride means just being completely and authentically yourself. No matter what people are going to say, what people are going to think. Knowing yourself and being yourself—that’s pride to me.

What are you most looking forward to this Sydney WorldPride?

I’m so excited this year—it’s my first Pride in Sydney, I’ve never been to Pride. I’m so excited to be in the community, be present and really go for it this year. Nothing is holding me back, I feel so open and so confident with my transition, and I just want to push it even more. The world feels so much more accepting of the LGBTQI+ community—and it’s getting better and better.

What does ‘Pride’ mean to you?

Pride, to me, is a freedom to be oneself, an expression of who we are without the restraints of society because of your sexual preference. More than ever in my community and the broader First Nations' community, we’re seeing many shine who identify as being LGBTQIA+.

What are you most looking forward to this Sydney WorldPride?

I think this is going to be my first Pride in Sydney, I’ve never been to Mardi Gras, I’m super excited about that. I’m excited about an Indigenous Drag show.

What does ‘Pride’ mean to you?

Pride is two things, two outfits, essentially—one is a party outfit to celebrate the acceptance that has been achieved within the queer community and from outside the queer community. The other is armour, so we can remain vigilant against governments, organisations and individuals who continue to persecute us. It’s an outfit to both celebrate and to show strength in.

What are you most looking forward to this Sydney WorldPride?

I’m looking forward to something we have every year, the Mardi Gras parade, going since the 78ers started it. It shows the world how the queer community is an integral and now visible part of this fantastic country.

What does ‘Pride’ mean to you?

To me, Pride means celebrating the lives of so many queer people who came before me, who fought like hell, so I could be as loud and proud as I am today. I think of these heroes every time I use my own platform to inspire younger LGBTIQ+ people. I’m in awe of what they went through for the rest of us, and I want to continue doing that for generations to come!

What are you most looking forward to this Sydney WorldPride?

Honestly? Dancing like crazy with gays from all around the globe! This is an incredible moment in history and I can’t believe I get to be there, walking in this parade alongside such ICONS! The atmosphere is going to be like no other!

What does ‘Pride’ mean to you?

Pride to me is everything. It’s basically just equality, love is love, no matter what gender you are, what culture you’re from, what you look like. I like to call it a circle, it’s ever going. Being an openly gay woman, Pride is home, it’s warm and it’s colourful.

What are you most looking forward to this WorldPride?

I will actually be in London for Pride this year, and I can't wait to see the queer community unite from all over the globe!