A Eurovision-inspired singing competition is helping Perth’s sexually diverse migrants find their voice.
Karaoke with an Accent will take over Connections Nightclub in Northbridge later this month, aiming to help foster connections among LGBTIQ+ migrants living in Perth.
The event is part of the State-funded Rainbow Migrants project, a 12-month pilot program run by charity Umbrella Multicultural Community Care Services and headed by University of Western Australia academic Lukasz Krzyzowski to provide social support and advocacy.
Dr Krzyzowski was inspired to start the program because of his own experience as a gay man moving from Poland to Perth in 2018.
“I encountered various obstacles, from accessing essential services and securing suitable housing to struggling with healthy friendships and romantic relationships,” he said.
“Being a migrant from a non-English-speaking country and a gay man, I recognised the vulnerability that stems from these intersections.
“Conversations with fellow rainbow migrants highlighted the glaring gaps in available support services and understanding of how ethnicity and cultural backgrounds influence experiences in Australia.”
Dr Krzyzowski said the project aimed to address these unmet needs and establish a foundation for future service development.
He said Karaoke with an Accent would be a “lively and colourful celebration of diversity and skills”.
“We imagine it as a space where people can truly be themselves, forming connections that go beyond where they’re from,” he said.
Aspiring singer Marya Budianta, who is busily preparing for the contest, is one of many sexually diverse migrants who has experienced discrimination, marginalisation and abuse in their home country.
The 29-year-old Mt Lawley resident, who is openly bisexual, was physically assaulted and had her life threatened in her native Indonesia before she came to Australia as a teenager.
“I moved to Australia in 2010 because of the social challenges I face as an LGBT individual,” Ms Budianta said.
“I got physically attacked, threatened to be killed and experienced social poverty.”
She has been seeking support from Rainbow Migrants for help with her residency, after her most recent visa application was rejected.
Ms Budianta said she had “suicidal thoughts” about having to return to Indonesia because of her extended family’s objection to her bisexuality.
Belmont-based Indian student Talha Saleem said he had experienced hate, had been “laughed at due to appearance” and was not considered for jobs because he identified as LGBTIQ+.
He believed Karaoke with an Accent would help people “feel good about themselves”.
“It’ll give them chance to connect with other community members and relax themselves without worrying about anything in the world,” he said.
While 28-year-old Andres MacLean did not experience hardship because of his sexuality in his home country in Ecuador, he said being a gay immigrant did make it more difficult to build a social circle in his new home of Perth.
“I have always felt comfortable to express who I am and the idea of others being deprived from that experience has always shocked me,” he said.
The Bassendean resident wanted to be part of Rainbow Migrants to help others “celebrate who they are”.
“It’s always important to have a support network in life and (Karaoke with an Accent) is going to be a great opportunity for gender and sexuality-diverse migrants to make friends, listen to experiences, learn what’s out there for us and connect and have fun while doing so,” he said.
According to Dr Krzyzowski, Rainbow Migrants had already seen “transformative impacts” on participants, with people reporting increased confidence in addressing challenges and embracing their identities.
He said Karaoke with an Accent was open to everyone and backing the event would show “unity with a community that usually doesn’t get much attention”.
They are also seeking sponsors to donate resources or prizes.
Karaoke with an Accent will run at Connections Nightclub on September 23 from 7.30pm to 10pm and entry is free.