On Saturday 4 March, Relationships Australia took part in 39th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The inclement weather held off as the parade sparkled and shimmied down Oxford and Flinders Street. In total 185 floats/groups and 12,000 people took part from a cross section of the community (see a list of the floats HERE). An estimated 250,000 took to the streets to watch the world’s biggest celebration of the LGBTQI community.
The Mardi Gras theme this year was “Creating Equality” with thousands of people from all over the world coming together to celebrate all that has been achieved and to shine a spotlight on ways we can work together to eliminate discrimination and prejudice in all its forms.
Marriage equality, refugees, mental health and recognition of transgender rights were all represented and the First Nations walked with the original 1978 Mardi Gras marchers at the beginning of the Mardi Gras.
Relationships Australia acknowledges the work that is required to achieve marriage equality and address relationship prejudice, and recognises the legitimacy, value and success of loving relationships and families with children in the LGBTQI community. Relationships Australia celebrates loving relationships and stands with our extended LGBTQI family to fight for change.
- Colourful photos by Jeffrey Feng can be found
- SBS TV Live streaming of Relationships Australia’s beautiful float, click HERE
- Live stream of the entire 2017 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, click HERE
- SBS highlights and amazing behind the scenes stories are HERE.
