Why, you may ask? It seems like the term has nothing to do with the biggest LGBTIQ celebration in the world, set in glowing Sydney, with people flocking from all over the world to sing, laugh, dress lavishly, dance provocatively, and feel that glorious feeling of togetherness. It might surprise you to learn that Mardi Gras is actually a Catholic term describing the celebrations leading up to Lent. On a cold night on the 24 th of June, , a group known as the Gay Solidarity Group took to the streets of Sydney, peacefully marching during the day and organising a street parade for the evening.

Talk:Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras



Talk:Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras - Wikipedia
Credit: Jessica Hromas. Theresa Kompara dressed as a bride, readies herself Mardi Gras. Credit: Cole Bennetts. Participants in Hyde Park preparing for the parade. Credit: James Brickwood. Fresh make up and a cigarette before the parade. Hard hatted marchers blows a kiss for before the parade.


Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Image from their Facebook page by Jeffrey Feng Photography, used with permission. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been an event with dual purposes — a colorful celebration of the gay and lesbian community, and a commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the original street march at which 53 participants were arrested and charged by police. Some of those arrested were forcibly outed and lost their jobs after the Sydney Morning Herald daily newspaper published the names. A list of those who participated now represents an honour roll.

Our new issue is out now. They went on to organize the first Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. A thousand people attended the festival and march from Kings Cross to Oxford Street. Instead of dispersing, the marchers fought their way to Kings Cross, where the police arrested fifty-three people. Since then, the Mardi Gras has been held annually, in defiance of homophobia and police persecution.