JOY 94.9 Australia’s first and only LGBTIQ radio station will relocate in 2020 to Australia’s first Pride Centre.

Today, the Minister for Equality, Martin Foley MP, joined Pride Centre Chair Jude Munro AO in a symbolic ceremony handing keys to the Victorian Pride Centre to JOY 94.9 FM.

The purpose-built studios will support JOY in transforming to meet both the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. The first dedicated LGBTIQ radio station in the world, JOY is an independent and influential voice for the queer community.

“JOY 94.9 promotes diversity in discourse through its programming, presenters and podcasts. The Pride Centre’s modern recording studios will ensure that JOY continues to reach its listeners both at home and abroad”, said Ms Jude Munro AO, Chair Victorian Pride Centre.

“JOY 94.9 is vital in providing LGBTIQ communities with a voice. We are thrilled that from late 2020 this voice will be broadcast from the Pride Centre, in the heart of St Kilda”, added Ms Munro.

CEO Ange Barry said, “JOY 94.9 is delighted to work in partnership with the Victorian Government and the Pride Centre to embark on a bright future for this unique community asset, ensuring the voices, issues and contributions of the LGBTIQ community reach our local, national and international audiences through the existing and emerging platforms available to independent community media.”JOY 94.9 will join LGBTIQ youth-driven Minus18 as the second resident organisation located on the first floor of the Pride Centre.