Make your stay inclusive. Celebrate Pride with Hilton.
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Faces of WorldPride 

With a steadfast commitment to inclusiveness, Hilton proudly celebrated Sydney WorldPride 2023. Learn more about a few of the outstanding people that shined during the epic 17-day festival celebrating unity, equality and love.

By Alison Cavatore | April 26, 2023

Gather, dream, amplify — that was the theme (and the reality!) of this year’s triumphant WorldPride festival in Sydney, Australia. Taking place for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere, Sydney WorldPride was an inclusive 17-day celebration that welcomed around 500,000 people from around the world.

The festival featured over 300 events, including a star-studded official opening concert, Mardi Gras parade and fair, Bondi Beach party, human rights conference, Miss First Nation beauty pageant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander drag queens, dance parties, art programming, talks, sports, comedy and more.

Read on to meet some of the incredible influencers and Hilton Team Members who gathered at the Hilton Rainbow Formal.

Michael and Charlie: Social Media Influencers

Michael and Charlie are a free-spirited married couple who travel around Australia in their van, sharing their rugged adventures on both YouTube and Instagram. They are noted for leading the charge as pioneer LGBTQIA+ representatives in the travel inspiration category. Follow their adventures on Instagram @husbands.thattravel. (Pictured: Michael (L) and Charlie)

Lacey-Jade Christie: Social Media Influencer and Writer

Lacey-Jade Christie is a plus-size influencer and prolific writer whose content celebrates all things LGBTQIA+, and cuts across fashion, beauty and wellness. She runs her own website and has contributed to popular publications such as Time Out Australia, Mamamia and LADbible. She is also a proud co-founder of the Body Positive Expo. Follow her on Instagram @laceyjadechristie.

Sean Szeps: Podcast Host and Writer

Sean is an award-winning social media strategist turned podcast host and writer. He writes about the joys and challenges of parenting alongside his husband, Josh, from his perspective as a gay father of twins. Follow him on Instagram @seanszeps. (Pictured: Sean (L) and Josh Szeps)

Nathan Kengike: Hotel Manager, West Hotel Sydney, Curio Collection by Hilton

Nathan is the Hotel Manager at West Hotel Sydney, Curio Collection by Hilton. He is an advocate of inclusivity and diversity and has volunteered for many different LGBTQIA+ charities such as OUT NT, Living Well, Just Like Us and ReachOut. He also serves as Advisor to the Pride Team Member Resource Group in Australia and hopes to inspire younger LGBTQIA+ Team Members who work at Hilton.

Blair Weir: Director of Sales, Area Sales Office Australasia, Hilton

Blair is a highly experienced commercial leader who is passionate about developing the careers of aspiring colleagues under his care and mentoring LGBTQIA+ team members as they navigate their way through life. Blair enjoys baking and collecting wine and is a self-professed history nerd and fitness junkie. He lives with his partner and their fur babies (a schnauzer and a cat). (Pictured: Laura OReilly (L) and Blair)

Alison Cavatore is the assistant editor for the content marketing team at Hilton. She has written and copyedited for numerous print and digital publications in the U.S. and abroad. Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Alison has lived in Miami, Scottsdale, Holland, France, Switzerland and Canada. She currently resides in the Washington, D.C. area.