But finally, after three years of painstakingly attending meetings, calling for progress and acceptance, planning and lobbying his dream to bring an all-inclusive Rainbow Day event to Port Fairy will happen on October 26.

"It's not been the easiest road," he said.

"A year ago 40 per cent of the comments on our Facebook page were negative.

"I know of quite a few people who were struggling with their mental health as they felt they were boxed in.

"Now attitudes have change and we want this event to be make our whole atmosphere brighter."

Mr Sullivan lived in a tiny town in South Australia where he said being gay was classed lower than low.

After moving to Port Fairy and seeing a "whole lot of nothing" to celebrate the LGBT+ community, he decided to take action.

"Someone had to get up and do something," he said.

"I knew if I wanted to live somewhere, I wanted to be comfortable. I want people's sexuality to be a normal part of society.

"If anywhere was going to be able to do that, it'd be Port Fairy.

"If Port Fairy can be a shining star in this way, it will ripple across the region and wash away old stigmas."

READ MORE:

Instrumental in helping Mr Sullivan in organising Rainbow Day and getting the message out was Ashley Harris.

As the host of the first openly gay radio show in country Australia, Mr Harris has a big following both across the region and in Melbourne.

"We want to bring people together," he said.

"There's lots of little group for the LGBT+ community in the region but everyone keeps to their own.

"We want to try and mix it all in together."

Mr Sullivan and Mr Harris hope people will volunteer their time in setting up and packing down the event.

They will also welcome any donations of rainbow goods and services, including a photographer and a make-up artist.

Mr Sullivan hopes the event will be a way people of all ages can celebrate the rainbow.

"We don't want people to hide or feel like they're an odd piece in a square box," he said.

"We hope everybody can come along and have a good time.

"This is Port Fairy putting out a welcome mat to all."

Rainbow Day will be held on October 26.

The event will have a stage on Fiddler's Green with live music from 11am onwards.

The community market will coincide with the event with stallholders decorating their stalls.

There will also be G. Litter bin art, window dressing along the main streets, free tea, coffee and a barbeque, art, chill out space, many prizes and much more.

Mr Sullivan hopes everyone can dress up in their best rainbow colours.

For more information or to get in contact with Mr Sullivan head to rainbowday.com.au

Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.