People of all abiltiies took part in the 47th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Source: Getty / Brook Mitchell
By tradition, Dykes on Bikes delivered a deafening first blast to the night’s soundtrack.
Dykes on Bikes are usually the first part of the annual Sydney Mardi Gras parade that spectators see or hear. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
They were followed by several floats representing First Nations communities and the 78ers — the trailblazing gay and lesbian activists whose bold protest in 1978 sowed the seeds for Australia’s largest celebration.
The 78ers are people who took part in the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on 24 June 1978. They have led each year’s parade since 1998. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
A vast array of performers marched to the beat of their own drum, personifying this year’s theme of ‘Free to Be’.
Parade particpants wore all manner of costumes. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
Historians from South Australia, queer Queensland doctors and migrant communities representing Turkey, Japan, and other nations highlighted just some of the participants’ diversity, covering .
The parade featured people from a wide variety of cultural groups. Source: AAP / Paul Braven
“Everyone has come together to appreciate the community and show love and respect,” onlooker Christina Saroukos told AAP from parade centre point Taylor Square.
“All the detailed costumes, the dancers and their choreography — they’ve really put the effort in and it shows,” her sister Olivia said.
The parade showcased the diversity of the LGBTIQ+ community. Source: AAP / Paul Braven
Underscoring the parade’s political undercurrent, hundreds in the parade adopted a second unofficial theme, holding signs demanding transgender kids be protected.
Hundreds of parade participants held signs and wore t-shirts in support of the transgender community. Source: AAP / Paul Braven
Political leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, and federal independents Allegra Spender, Zali Steggall and Senator Lidia Thorpe, were among those to march along the 1.3km route through Darlinghurst.
Wenntworth MP Allegra Spender was among the politicians to take part. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
Equality Australia said Mardi Gras was a celebration of how far the community had come while sadly marking an uptick in verbal abuse, threats of violence and assaults.
“It’s a reminder that for many people in our communities, particularly trans people, such targeted acts of hate are a year-round occurrence and that despite our gains we are still fighting for equal rights and protections in the law,” chief executive Anna Brown said.
The inclusion of police officers in the Mardi Gras parade has been controversial. Source: AAP / Paul Braven
The police marched again in this year’s parade after a bid to ban their presence was narrowly voted down
An official closing party, dubbed Laneway, will close out the wider 16-day Mardi Gras festival on Sunday.