Sydney gay and lesbian mardi gras darlinghurst
Thousands of revellers line municipality streets for Sydney Homosexual and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade
Sydney's Oxford Street was buzzing on Saturday late hours as thousands of revellers clapped, cheered and danced to celebrate the 47th annual Mardi Gras parade.
More than 10,000 people marched with all of the favourites — disco balls, feathers, glitter, capes and sequins — on show across the 180 floats from a range of community groups, charities and government organisations.
This year's theme "Free to be", which organisers said was a reminder the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights was far from over, resonated throughout the night.
Three-hundred Dykes on Bikes kicked off the festivities, lighting up Darlinghurst's Oxford Street, Flinders Celebration and Anzac Parade with their trademark Harley Davidsons donned with rainbow flags.
The group is the country's longest-running female motorcycle club, and one of the country's oldest LGBTQIA+ people groups which traditionally opens the event.
Opening marchers, the First Nations Community Collective, carried plenty of First Nations flags, and feathers, while some participants held placards that read: "Always was
The Dictionary of Sydney was archived in 2021.
Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
It was a [media]parade of 15,000 people through the streets of Sydney on a warm Saturday night in late February. There were 52 floats, numerous cars and trucks, sundry other vehicles, and vaqueros on horseback, and, as one watcher noted,
bikies, Darth Vaders, cycle sluts, gladiators, Red Indians, Supremes, Carmen Mirandas, wizards, fairies, ballroom dancers, nuns and altar boys.
Others were wearing just enough 'to keep them out of the Darlinghurstslammer on indecent exposure charges'. [1] Tens of thousands of people lined the streets, hundreds more crowded out onto balconies and awnings, bands and disco melody blared, and searchlights and spotlights played on buildings and the low clouds. It was the 1983 Sydney Gay and Woman loving woman Mardi Gras Parade.
Yet [media]this parade – probably the largest parade not connected with war that had passed through Sydney's streets – received no coverage as news by any of the mainstream newspapers or TV channels in Sydney. Envious Melbournians at least got a later report in the Age: its commentator bemoaned the fact that such an event 'put Melbourne's
Sydney Gay & Sapphic Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras Parade
When: 1 March 2025
In 2025, the Mardi Gras Parade returns to Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade, centred around the theme 'Our Future'. As always, the march 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 12,000 marchers and over 200 floats captivating spectators with a spectacular demonstrate of colour, creativity and pride. There are free viewing areas all along Oxford Street, as successfully as premium viewing spaces and accessible viewing ticketed areas to view the spectacle from Hyde Park to Moore Park.
Sydney Same-sex attracted and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade 2023, Sydney
More thrilling events
There are plenty of other events to appreciate across the city throughout the festival, including demonstrating arts, comedy, films and talks. Key celebrations include:
First Nations First Light: A Festival Welcome
When: 14 February 2025
To commemorate the start of Sydney Gay and Female homosexual Mardi Gras 2025, leader to the shores of Bondi Beach for a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and performances to welcome festival-goers onto the
Parade, parties and pride: Here's what to know about this year's Mardi Gras
Over 11,000 participants are expected to descend on Sydney's streets on Saturday nighttime, 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 identity and collective identity of the LGBTIQ+ community, according to the organising committee.
So what is Mardi Gras?
The Sydney Gay and Sapphic Mardi Gras is a 17-day celebration of Australia's LGBTIQ+ community.
The first Mardi Gras was a demonstration in 1978, coordinated in solidarity with other homosexual and lesbian groups around the world on the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots in the United States.
Police beat and arrested 53 people and newspapers published their names, occupations and addresses. In 2016, the NSW Police Force apologised for its actions at the first Mardi Gras.
Thousands of people are expected to participate in the annual pride on Saturday. Credit: AAP
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