Anak Melayu Queer Australia (AMQA) seeking support for its Cultural Showcase
Michael Barnett OAM
I am reaching out to share an exciting initiative – Pelangi Nusantara, a groundbreaking cultural showcase presented by Anak Melayu Queer Australia (AMQA) dedicated to uplifting queer Malay voices, artistry and heritage in Australia.. The name itself is significant: Pelangi means rainbow and Nusantara means neighbouring islands, together symbolising both our queer pride and our shared cultural roots across the Malay world.
This event is more than a performance; it is a statement of visibility and resilience. Pelangi Nusantara will bring together cultural dancers, singers and bamboo performers to honour our Malay heritage while celebrating the brilliance of LGBTQIA+ identities. Through storytelling, art and connection, it will amplify voices too often silenced, creating space for our community to be seen, valued and celebrated.
About AMQA
Anak Melayu Queer Australia (AMQA) is a grassroots initiative centring the experiences of queer Malays.
Anak Melayu — meaning “Malay person” — is deliberately retained in our language as an act of reclamation. For too long, our identities have been silenced or erased. By reclaiming this name, we affirm our cultural pride and rightful place within the LGBTQIA+
community.
Why Pelangi Nusantara Matters
Queer Malays have always fuelled cultural life — from dance to music, fashion and performance. Yet often remain hidden or uncredited due to stigma. Many in our community also live with the trauma of displacement, navigating multiple intersections as queer,
Malay, migrants and refugees.
Pelangi Nusantara changes that by:
· Honouring queer Malay creatives historically kept behind the scenes
· Celebrating diversity through dance, music and the arts
· Providing a dignified platform for displaced and excluded voices
· Challenging stereotypes and showcasing authentic talent
Our Call to Actions
With guidance from respected advocate Sasja Sydek of Trans Sisters United, we are reaching out for support. As a newly established not-for-profit, AMQA seeks financial or in-kind contributions to cover:
· Artist honorariums (dancers, singers and performers)
· Venue hire for accessibility and inclusion
· Catering, refreshments or hospitality items
· Production crew (tech, sound, lighting, staging or logistics)
· Printing, marketing or design services
· Volunteer time and skills (event support, ushering, photography, etc)
Financial Support
· Sponsorship packages (starting from $500)
· One-off donations (any amount is appreciated)
Your Impact
Your support is not just funding an event — it is shaping a safe, inclusive cultural narrative where queer Malay people can connect, belong, and thrive. Together, we can ensure our talents, stories, and contributions are no longer hidden, but proudly celebrated
on centre stage.
To make a donation or discuss tailored sponsorship opportunities, please contact us.
Donations can also be made directly via BSB: 083 - 187 ACC: 73-873-1723
Thank you for considering this opportunity to stand with us in creating visibility, pride and belonging.
With gratitude,
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