Maya Newell will share her experiences and her perspective on LGBT families.

The keynote speaker at the 2015 Aurora Ball will be Maya Newell – director of the upcoming documentary film Gayby Baby. Showing at the Sydney Film Festival, Gayby Baby tells the story of four 11-year-old children growing up with same-sex parents. Sydneysider Maya Newell grew up with two lesbian mothers and wants to share the stories of families like hers.

“Sometimes debates about same-sex families talk about us as hypotheticals – we’re not,” said Ms Newell. “I want to give voice to the rich, complicated and loving experience of growing up in a rainbow family in Australia today.”

The theme of the 2015 Aurora Ball is ‘Once Upon a Time’: stepping into the stories which have intrigued us since we were kids and spreading a little magic to the people in our community who need it.

Maya will share her experience of how drawing on our life stories can help other people’s dreams come true.

“At a time when there is a national dialogue around equality that has direct implications for our community and families, we are delighted to have Maya speak at this year’s Aurora Ball,” said Aurora Co-Chair Adam Niewand.

“Maya is an eloquent voice in our community, providing an important perspective on the topic of same-sex families, and I, for one, cannot wait to hear her insights and stories.”

Aurora Ball
Date: Saturday 20 June
Cost: $235