To celebrate Wear It Purple Day, join us at the Victorian Pride Centre for a special panel event showcasing the voices of future LGBTIQA+ leaders, presented in partnership with Endeavour Group and supported by Minus18.

This year’s theme, “Bold voices, bright futures”, sets the tone for a powerful conversation as four inspiring young advocates share their personal journeys, explore what leadership means to them, and reflect on the impact of youth-led change in our communities.

OUR PANELISTS:

Abbie Jane (she/her) – 

Abbie Jane (she/her) founded the Rainbow Shoelace Project in 2022 when she was just 12 years old and living in the remote town of Broken Hill, Australia. What started with Abbie giving away free rainbow beads for people to wear on their shoelaces to show their support for the LGBTQIA+ community is now a global movement, with more than 350,000 packets of free beads given away.

In 2023, Abbie attended World Pride in Sydney to represent the Rainbow Shoelace Project, was awarded the Regional Entrepreneur of the Year at the Teens in Business Awards. Abbie has presented at the Pride in Practice conference in 2023 (when she was 14 years old) and 2024 (aged 15).

Abbie has travelled around Australia attending PRIDE festivals to hand out free beads and has been a guest speaker for a number of businesses. In 2024, Abbie was named “One to Watch” at the NSW Women of the Year Awards and she was awarded the Young Achiever Award in the ACON Honour Awards for outstanding achievements in campaigning for rainbow inclusion and equality. Abbie is supported by people like Dannii Minogue and Miriam Margolyes, and in 2025, Abbie has co-authored a children’s picture book about the Rainbow Shoelace Project.

Now 15, Abbie is a change-maker and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. Her ability to cultivate support for issues that affect her community and passion for driving change make her a real force for the future.

Keiran Molaeb (he/him)  – 

Keiran Molaeb (he/him) is a queer transgender man currently working and studying in Naarm. He was a part of the 2022–2023 Young Leaders Program with Minus18 and has since gone on to
pursue formal education in Fine Arts at VCA (Victorian College of the Arts), specialising in painting. As part of the 2024 VCA Graduate Exhibition, Keiran’s work received the Majlis Art
Award, and he is currently completing his Honours degree in Fine Art.

As an emerging artist, Keiran has shown his work at the Islamic Museum of Art, West Space, the Melbourne Arts Centre, Youkobo Art Space in Tokyo, and will have his debut solo exhibition in
October at the George Paton Gallery in Melbourne.

Keiran remains deeply engaged in community participation and activism. He has been a part of many community fundraisers, events, and talks, and continues to dedicate himself to social advocacy, leadership, and change. With a focus on intersectionality and solidarity for people with culturally diverse backgrounds who identify as LGBTQIA+, Keiran is passionate about contributing to positive representation, building community and support networks, and advocating for increased education in LGBTQIA+ support.

Enfys Jones (they/them) – 

Enfys (they/them) is a passionate young adult who loves numbers, stories, and creativity. At 24, they began studying Gender Studies and are committed to enjoying it to its full potential —
however long it takes to complete the degree. They’re currently hoping it will lead to exciting research opportunities. Enfys lives in a queer and neurodiverse-friendly household, where weekends and evenings are spent info-dumping and playing games with chosen family. In their spare time, they enjoy writing, media analysis, and listening to music. (They also love the Oxford comma.)
Among their many creative and nerdy hobbies, Enfys is driven by a love of helping others and often seeks out volunteering opportunities. They’re learning to harness the power of speaking up — discovering that sharing why something was hard can truly make a difference. For Enfys, making everyday processes easier for those who come after them is just as meaningful as any other work they do.

Alicia Herrera (she/her) – 

Alicia Herrera is a queer, neurodiverse, and culturally linguistic communications professional with a passion for fostering inclusion and equity. With a Bachelor of Communications and experience in diversity focused roles, Alicia has led initiatives amplifying underrepresented voices as a 2024 Minus18 Young Leader and Pinnacle Foundation Alumni, Alicia’s advocacy spans public speaking, youth engagement, and digital innovation. Her lived experiences at the intersections of identity fuel her commitment to creating spaces where all people feel seen, heard, and valued.

This event is open to and free for all. Morning tea will be provided following the panel.