IT’S been held annually since 1999, but this year there will be a renewed sense of “optimism and celebration” at Canberra’s queer cultural festival, Springout, says co-organiser David Sequeira.

David, an artistic director at the National Film and Sound Archive, says the passing of the Marriage Equality Same-Sex Bill in the ACT Legislative Assembly last month is perfect timing ahead of the two-week-long festival, held in November.

“Over the years Springout has become increasingly mature as a festival and maintained its relevance, and this year it’s going to be bigger than it’s ever been before – I think there will be a real undercurrent of celebration,” David says.

With more than 20 events around Canberra, David says the festival’s program is tailored to “reveal to the general community as many facets of queer culture as possible”.

Highlights include dance parties, charity bake-offs, a talk by Sydney barrister and author Mark Tedeschi regarding transgender issues, and a performance by ARIA-winning singer and former Canberra girl Sally Whitwell – who David describes as a “force to be reckoned with”.

“It’s funny because for 360 days of the year you will not see some of these people out, but they will come out for these events. It really does bring people out of the suburbs, because they prefer to go to these social events rather than somewhere like Cube,” David says.

“We’re really trying to let people know that it’s not just for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, it’s for everyone to enjoy. The festival isn’t out to be a protest, it’s an intention to celebrate queer culture in all its facets, in a very public way.”

Launched in 1999, Springout Festival began with “literally two volunteers,” and now has an enthusiastic team of six, who spend about four months of each year planning.

The longest serving committee member is Keiran Rossteuscher, who says “so much” has changed in Canberra.

“Canberra has had new adoption laws surrounding same-sex couples, a new marriage bill – we’re just such a progressive city, and we hear so many stories about people coming out younger and with more positive experiences, because this festival does connect to Canberra,” he says.

“The thing that’s unique about Springout is the community aspect. In larger cities, you don’t get that sense of ownership at a festival, you’ll always be a guest, whereas in Canberra you get a sense of ownership of this project, beyond our little committee.”

One of the most popular and longest-running events coinciding with the festival is the Bush Barn Dance, held at the Yarralumla Woolshed.

“Busloads of people from Sydney come down for it, it’s crazy. I call it the country bumpkin’s mardis gras,” Keiran jokes.

“It’s all the dancing you did as a teenager in high school without the nervous, clammy hands – well, maybe a few. Boys dance with boys, girls dance with girls, and there’s a bush band. It’s a big deal and around 800 people pack into the shed each year.”

Another favourite is Fair Day, a “relaxed” picnic day with music, stallholders and parades; and where Deputy Chief Minister Andrew Barr met his now-husband.

This year will also include the introduction of “Rainbow Story Time” at the Dickson Library, which will see Labor MLA Yvette Berry reading children’s books which aim to educate kids about same-sex couples.

“It’s about educating from the grassroots, showing that families can come from all shapes and sizes,” David says.

“This does two things: it caters to children of same-sex parents, but also caters to the general community as well. It’s about normalising differences at a grassroots level and accessing the whole community.”

David says the Canberra community has always been “very accepting and really embraced” the festival.

“I think the people that would have a problem with it aren’t really looking for us, they’re looking for the cliche, tops-off, bums-out event that just doesn’t happen here – this is a festival for everyone,” he says.

Springout Festival, November 9-24. Program at springout.com.au/ or facebook.com/springOUT