1 Mar 2024
MARCHING TOWARDS OUR FUTURE… HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2024 SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE REVEALED
The vibrant streets of Sydney will once again ignite with pride and diversity as the iconic Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade returns to Oxford St, Flinders St, and Anzac Pde on Saturday 02 March 2024.
In a dazzling display of creativity and pride, the Parade remains a beacon of hope, embracing satire, humour, and unapologetic advocacy, while encouraging all to envision a brighter future for the LGBTQIA+ community.
This year, the Parade takes centre stage under the theme Our Future..., building upon 45 years of powerful protest and celebration of LGBTQIA+ lives. Our Future... is not merely a theme but a bold call to action, inviting participants to define and shape the path forward as a united community. It acknowledges the rich past while inspiring collective envisioning of what comes next.
As Australia’s only truly global city and gateway for international arrivals, Sydney’s cultural diversity makes it the perfect playground for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. As well as enjoying the excitement of the 2024 Program, visitors can also explore renowned galleries, museums and theatres, the booming creative scene, eclectic arts, music and culture all in one city.
Gil Beckwith, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, said “As we march towards 'Our Future...' in this year's Parade, we are not just celebrating the past 45 years of LGBTQIA+ history; we are boldly shaping the path ahead. The 2024 Parade is an opportunity for our community to come together and envision a world where acceptance, diversity, and unity reign supreme.”
Minister for the Arts, Music and Night Time Economy, Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “For over 45 years Mardi Gras has been an important annual event for Sydney. Starting in 1978 as a protest, it has become a celebration of inclusion and community. Each parage adds to that history.
“The NSW Government has preserved the history and stories of the LGBTQIA+ community through a permanent home for the Qtopia Sydney Museum at the former Darlinghurst Police Station, a site of great historical significance for Mardi Gras and the original 78ers, which will add to the Mardi Gras experience for many years to come.”
In 2024, over 250,000 spectators will be captivated as more than 12,000 participants take to Sydney’s streets in spectacular style. As always, the Parade will be led by beloved Dykes on Bikes, First Nations, and 78er floats.
Check out some highlight of the community floats in this year’s Parade:
Asian Marching Boys & Friends: Electric Blue Cowboys
Dazzling with their 'Electric Blue Cowboys' theme, this float merges rodeo bravado with inclusivity, challenging stereotypes and rewriting the narrative of masculinity. Celebrating over 20 years of participation, they continue to provide a vibrant, safe space for LGBTQI members, rewriting the narrative of masculinity and cultural representation in style.
Bi+ Visibility: Legally Bi Campaign
Bi+ Visibility: Legally Bi Campaign - Bi+ Visibility campaigns for equal legal protection for bisexual+ individuals in NSW, using a 'Legally Bi' theme inspired by 'Legally Blonde,' dressed as lawyers and judges in bi+ flag-coloured attire to highlight the need for inclusive anti-discrimination laws and advocate for equality and recognition under the law.
DIY Rainbow: Celebrating Jennifer Coolidge and White Lotus
DIY Rainbow dazzles with a White Lotus-themed float, honouring LGBTQIA+ ally Jennifer Coolidge. Their cruise boat vehicle, adorned with palm trees, features multiple Coolidges and participants in chic Hawaiian and Sicilian fashion, celebrating the beloved series and its iconic star with flair and fabulousness, embodying the spirit of inclusivity and ally-ship in the LGBTQIA+ community.
Drag Storytime is Not a Crime: Celebrating Diversity and Acceptance
A vibrant procession of drag queens and kings marching behind a large, pushable storybook emphasizing the positive impact of drag storytime on children and families, and advocating for the freedom to express oneself in a rich, diverse world.
Em’n’Jane: Mini Matildas
Em’n’Jane celebrates the Matildas and LGBTQIA+ representation in women's soccer by dressing in team jerseys, honouring the team's impact on young LGBTQIA+ individuals.
The Itty Bitty Titty Committee: Celebrating Lesbian Barbie
This group pays playful yet empowering tribute to "Lesbie - Lesbian Barbie" with marchers in pink boiler suits, sequinned accessories, and sunglasses, creating a vibrant "Lesbie Land" and proudly promoting lesbian visibility and empowerment.
Trans Pride Australia: A Vision of Inclusivity and Resilience
Trans Pride Australia's entry, "After a Hurricane Comes a Rainbow," represents the journey of the trans and gender diverse community with participants adorned in trans flag colours, celebrating resilience and hope, and the unity of the TGD community on their path to a more inclusive future.
The Rainbow Mob: Celebrating First Nations Pride
The Rainbow Mob represents First Nations LGBTQIA+ voices with vibrancy, showcasing cultural pride and LGBTQIA+ visibility through colourful attire and a spirited blend of Aboriginal flag and rainbow colours.
Polly Petrie and Her Follies: A Tribute to a Drag Icon
This float honours Sydney drag icon Polly Petrie and her show "Polly's Follies," celebrating her immense contribution to drag culture with glamorous stage drag performances, paying homage to Polly's enduring legacy.
KathnJen: TheFloat that went wRong
KathnJen, parade favourites for over 25 years, embrace parade mishaps with humour, showcasing the behind-the-scenes disasters and turning them into a celebration of resilience within the LGBTQ community.
Please Don't Forget Our Homeless: Advocating for LGBTQIA+ Homeless
This float spotlights the plight of LGBTQIA+ homeless individuals, symbolizing the lack of safe housing with lights, banners, and participants pushing illuminated pushable houses, conveying a powerful message of hope and the need for essential services.
For those unable to join the action in Sydney, Parade Broadcast partner ABC will be broadcasting the Parade live, allowing audiences across Australia to share in this extraordinary celebration.
What to elevate your 2023 Parade viewing experience? Tickets are still available for the Premium Parade Viewing Areas: Sideshow, Club Cindy and Diamond Club, all of which offer bars and amenities and a front row seat to all of the action.
The 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is proudly supported by Principal Partner American Express, Government Partner of the Mardi Gras Festival, the City of Sydney, and Strategic Sponsor the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
THE DETAILS
What: 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade
When: Saturday 2 March 2024
Where: Oxford St, Flinders St, and Anzac Pde, Darlinghurst.
More info: www.mardigras.org.au
MEDIA CONTACT:
Original Spin: Matt Fraser matt@originalspin.com.au M: 0401 326 007