Melbourne's gay and lesbian pride festival will party on for another three years thanks to $600,000 funding boost from the Victorian government.
Premier Daniel Andrew's announcement on Sunday came as tens of thousands of people braved the scorching heat to celebrate LGBTI culture at the Midsumma Festival in St Kilda.
Two of the crowd, Mel and Sue, were getting married during the festivities and after nine years together.
"(I'm) glad, legally, we can be recognised as a couple and not feel like second class citizens," Sue told reporters before the Midsumma pride march.
The winning design for the nearby Victorian Pride Centre, set to be up and running by 2020, was also unveiled during the event.
St Kilda-based firms Grant Amon Architects, and Brearley Architects and Urbanists are designing the complex, to host major gay and lesbian organisations including the Victorian Aids Council.
"It's really important to celebrate what has been a very difficult history in many ways over a long period of time, but also give a place where communities and community organisations can congregate," Mr Andrews told reporters.
The premier also assured Victorians they were "absolutely good enough" no matter who they loved.
