Watch out, the world’s biggest glitter-fest the Sydney Mardi Gras, is fast approaching and this is the week to break out your brightest rainbow flag and head along to a session of Queer Thinking’s thought provoking program of talks, issues and provocations.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) High Profile Supporter and former Charlotte of Sex and the City fame, Kristin Davis is in town to help launch the 2016 series of Queer Thinking’s incredible and diverse line up. In 2015, Ms Davis travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda which is described as “the world’s worst place to be a woman” to meet with refugees from southern Sudan and other war-torn areas. Since then she has been working with UNHCR to draw attention to the plight of refugees around the world.

As part of the Queer Thinking program Ms Davis and Naomi Steer, National Director of Australia for UNHCR will be on stage at Carriageworks on Friday 12^th February in conversation to discuss UNHCR’s work preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). In light of the high levels of SGBV in conflict settings worldwide and the growing number of asylum claims based on gender or sexual orientation, the event is presented as an urgent conversation on prevention and response, presented by Australia for UNHCR and Carriageworks.

Do you wish you could do more too? Be involved in the issues that matter and get a better perspective? Queer Thinking is giving you the opportunity to do so throughout the entirety of the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival with over 18 panels, discussions and workshops to inspire you to action as they take audiences on a show and tell across some of the bigger issues facing the LGBTQI community this year.

Their programs crosses a diverse range of topics and perspectives featuring singular and controversial though leaders, activists and artists, which will challenge the status quo as they tell their stories. Dino Dimitriadis the Curator for Queer Thinking explains how it is “a keystone Mardi Gras event in provoking discussion about issues important to LGBTQI people and communities, both at home in Australia and abroad.”

UNHCR High Profile Supporter Kristin Davis is shown around the transit centre by Peter Majak Yoi, a taxi driver who fled with his wife and 6 children from Pariang, South Sudan. The number of South Sudanese refugees fleeing into Northern Uganda is 154000, since the 15th December 2013.

Program Highlights include:

 LGBTQI Refugees – Australia can do more: Queer Thinking Forum (Wed 24 Feb) explores the unique challenges faced by LGBTQI refugees fleeing persecution based on gender or sexuality.

Families Come in all Shapes and Sizes (Sun 28 Feb) brings together a diverse panel to address some of the key challenges facing LGBTQI families and what it means to be, create and raise a family in 2016.

Out Loud: About Domestic and Family Violence in LGBTQI Communities (Sat 27 Feb) is a forward looking discussion on domestic violence within LGBTQI relationships. With one in three LGBTQI people having experienced violence at the hands of their partner, the forum looks at the reasons why and explores avenues of support to those in need.

Online Dating – The Dos and Don’ts of Modern Lust and Love (Tues 01 March) brings together a flirty mix of love, laughter and online hookups. More than just a talk, comedian Nath Valvo and a panel of special guests drill down into the tips and techniques for setting up the perfect gay dating profile that’s sure to guarantee a ‘right swipe’.

These are just some of the mind food on offer at the impressive Queer Thinking. To view the whole program as well as buy tickets head to www.mardigras.org.au/queer-thinking

For more Mardi Gras mania head to the website for a jam-packed calendar of summer events at www.mardigras.org.au

Event: Queer Thinking Launch – Kirstin Davis: In Conversation

Event Date: Friday 12th February

Event Time: 8pm – 9pm

Venue: Carriageworks

Tickets: $28  (+ online booking fee)

Website: http://www.mardigras.org.au/2016-festival-event-guide/qt-kristin-davis

Join the conversation: #MardiGras2016 @Sydneymardigras @kristindavis @refugees