Australia gay mardi gras

First gay Mardi Gras

Making history

Australian Lesbian and Gay Archives president Graham Willett describes the Mardi Gras as the ‘most dramatic moment of the backlash’ against the campaign for gay rights. The parade started at 10pm and progressed down Oxford Street towards the town. The trouble began when they reached Hyde Park.

In an attempt to earn the crowd to disperse, the police confiscated the conduct truck and boisterous speaker. The crowd, seeing that access to Hyde Park was blocked, headed towards Kings Cross. The police moved in and arrested 53 people.

According to Willett, ‘Many of those arrested were badly beaten inside police cells and the Sydney Morning Herald sank to new editorial lows by publishing the complete list of names and occupations of those arrested’.

Supporters began a ‘drop the charges’ campaign, which initially generated more arrests. However, due to adj uproar about the arrests as adv as favourable media coverage, the first charges were dropped in October , and all charges were dropped by the end of Additionally, la

 The Parade participants organize floats, choreograph themselves into marching groups or attend as individuals. They are usually costumed and painted to depict heroes, villains and icon figures from their various communities. The desire to 'dress up' is fuelled by the culture of drag in Australia which encourages the outrageous and subversive as a form of entertainment.

  • The first Mardi Gras Parade takes place in June to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York. It takes the form of a protest march of about 1, people calling for an end to discrimination towards gays and lesbians. 53 people are arrested.

  • The Parade is moved to February. An estimated crowd of 5, attend.

  • The arts program is initiated. 40 floats participate while a crowd of 20, attend. The Sydney Gay Mardi Gras Association is formed.

  • Australia's bicentennial year. An Aboriginal float leads the Parade with a gay Indigenous man dressed as Captain Bake. 60 floats participate while a crowd of 20, glance on. The Sydney Gay Mardi Gras Association's name ch

    Parade, parties and pride: Here's what to know about this year's Mardi Gras

    Over 11, participants are expected to descend on Sydney's streets on Saturday darkness, leading the charge of the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

    This year's theme, Free to Be, encourages embracing and celebrating the unique individuality and collective identity of the LGBTIQ+ community, according to the organising committee.

    So what is Mardi Gras?

    The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a day celebration of Australia's LGBTIQ+ community.

    The first Mardi Gras was a complain in , coordinated in solidarity with other gay and lesbian groups around the world on the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in the United States.

    Police beat and arrested 53 people and newspapers published their names, occupations and addresses. In , the NSW Police Force apologised for its actions at the first Mardi Gras.

    Thousands of people are expected to participate in the annual parade on Saturday. Credit: AAP

    According to Ken Davis, one of the original marchers, the violence on

    Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

    Mardi Gras Parade

    When: 1 March

    In , the Mardi Gras Parade returns to Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade, centred around the theme 'Our Future'. As always, the parade will be led by the beloved Dykes on Bikes, First Nations and 78er floats.

    The parade is the biggest event of the festival, featuring more than 12, marchers and over floats captivating spectators with a spectacular display of colour, creativity and pride. There are free viewing areas all along Oxford Street, as adv as premium viewing spaces and usable viewing ticketed areas to view the spectacle from Hyde Park to Moore Park.

    Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade , Sydney

    More exciting events

    There are plenty of other events to verb across the capital throughout the festival, including performing arts, comedy, films and talks. Key celebrations include:

    First Nations First Light: A Festival Welcome

    When: 14 February

    To commemorate the begin of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras , head to the shores of Bondi Beach for a Welcome to Count