Will and Herschel
Meet Will and Herschel
Pronouns: Both use He/Him
TikTok: Willhopkins00
Meet Will and Herschel, a charming couple who recently swapped Brisbane for Bondi! They met at a party through Will's brother and are gearing up for their fourth Mardi Gras together. With a shared passion for celebration and community, they embrace every moment of their journey.
What is your favourite Mardi Gras memory?
Herschel:"My favourite memory is the 2023 Bondi Beach Party duringWorld Pride. The energy was insane, and everyone was so excited!"
Will:"Mine is the time my whole family—straight brothers and mum and dad—marched in the parade without me. I ran to the intersection at Taylor Square, and when we saw each other, we all rushed to the barrier, crying. It was super special and will stay with me forever."
What does Free to Be mean to you?
Will:"We’ve come a long way in Australia, and Sydney is quite accepting, but being publicly with your partner in a queer relationship still has its challenges. There are places where you don't feel safe, and this campaign is so important because we’re not there yet. Trans people and people of colour often don’t feel safe. We have a lot of work to do, balancing celebration and protest. This theme captures that perfectly."
Herschel:"As a white gay male, I’ve noticed how far we’ve come and what freedoms we have compared to others in our community who still face significant barriers. We need to recognise that not everyone feels safe, even if we do in some spaces."
Will:"We’re not free until we’re all free!"
What event are you looking forward to in 2025?
Will:"I love Fair Day! Daytime events feel so much more wholesome."
Finish this sentence; Free to be:
"Visibly together."
