Despite facing intense adversity in its early stages, the Sydney Mardi Gras festival has become the largest annual event held in Sydney, Australia that celebrates the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual) community. The celebration is an explosion of color, creativity, and, most importantly, acceptance. The party lasts for three weeks and people from around the globe go to enjoy the parades, performances, and fairs, among other wild events. In a world that stifles individuality, the Sydney Mardi Gras festival inspires people to celebrate each other through the power and beauty of diversity.
Over a span of 35 years, the Sydney Mardi Gras has evolved from an anger-filled protest to one of the largest celebrations in the world. The festival derived from the 1978 Stonewall Riots, when more than 500 people gathered on Oxford Street in New York City’s Greenwich Village and demanded an end to homosexual discrimination and anti-homosexual laws. The violent protests ironically paved the way for the festival to develop into the loving ceremony it is today. More and more people were participating in the celebration. By 1992, it was the largest gay and lesbian festival in the world. In fact, it generated almost 38 million dollars to the Australian economy each year.
After airing on the ABC network in 1997, the celebration became mainstream and had global recognition. Today, the festival attracts more than 70,000 people at Fair Day and over 300,000 spectators at the parade, as well as some of the most talented artists from around the world. In addition, it is one of Australia’s, “most significant event in terms of visitation and economic impact,” bringing in millions of dollars every day to New South Wale’s economy. The Mardi Gras festival has grown substantially over the years and has taken on the responsibility to honor sexual diversities and originality.
As one of the largest festivals in the world, the Sydney Mardi Gras is packed with over 70 events spanning three weeks. The events aim to create a fun-loving atmosphere, inspire the public to join in the festivities, and demonstrate individual creativity and expression. The Mardi Gras parade is one of the festival’s highlights. It includes over 8,500 entrants in colorful costumes and elaborate floats that represent community groups, topical themes, or political messages. The festival also includes a multitude of live performances.
The procession has such an exceptionally high level of artistry that it stands alone amongst other LGBT Pride parades. The show starts off with 200 Dykes on Bikes and then is accompanied by choreographed presentations, fireworks, music, light shows, and satirical statements. The parade allows for imagination to flourish and self-expression to dominate.
The party goes on day and night, to include a fair day, cabarets, comedy, theater, and music. The celebration is unique in that it has the same flavor as a classic Mardi Gras festival with a twist of LGBT art and messages of acceptance. No other Pride event has the scope of activities and attractions that the Sydney Mardi Gras boasts. The Fair Day and other local parties unite the LGBT community and encourage all to join in the music, talent, and fun. There are concerts, marathons, activities for families, wine-tasting events, classes, and theater productions, along with other festivities. The Mardi Gras is so popular with the LGBT community because it offers three weeks of non-stop fun throughout the city compared to a one day pride parade lasting a block. It is bursting with light and love and eccentric beings from around the world expressing their unique beauty.
The Sydney Mardi Gras festival has the support of many but also faces criticism and opposition. The celebration and its economic impact have gained the attention of the public and politicians alike. Unlike any other Gay Pride event in the world, the government has decided to provide funding for the Sydney Mardi Gras and include it in the New South Wales Master Events Calendar. According to Tim Duggan, executive editor at HarperCollins, “the funding will allow Mardi Gras to secure more international and national float participation, more integration with the domestic and international marketing strategies of Tourism NSW, as well as securing existing and new media broadcasting opportunities.” With the funding, the Sydney Mardi Gras festival is already attracting more tourists and public participation. The sheer size of the celebration and government involvement expresses that its message has an impact on more than just the LGBT community.
The festival’s message of sexual freedom and individuality has gained the support of most of the LGBT community and an array of unlikely followers, but many still disagree with the annual event. Since homosexuality is not revered in many cultural practices and religions and is in fact condemned, various religious groups, anti-gay activists, and some politicians protest against the Mardi Gras festival. One minister of an Australian church prays for rain on the day of the Sydney Mardi Gras parade. Even with the opposition and criticism of the festival, the Sydney Mardi Gras is determined to look past the naysayers and keep on celebrating universal love because that’s exactly what it’s done for 35 years.
The Sydney Mardi Gras is undoubtedly the world’s go-to social event for the LGBT community. The festival invites everyone to freely express their sexuality, individual styles, and unseen talents. Even though homosexuals have faced and are facing discrimination, the Mardi Gras is a place where all are accepted and recognized as beautiful. Our differences connect us, and the celebration of diversity will lead to a kinder and more loving world.
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Talon Carver is a writer from the Colorado Springs area.
