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Last night, the world-renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade celebrated its 45th birthday, returning to its iconic Oxford Street home. Thousands of onlookers took to Oxford Street to honour and celebrate our LGBTQIA+ community, and take part in the ultimate party.
Over 12,500 marchers and 208 floats made their way down the parade route, each bringing its own style and flair. Led by by First Nations, 78ers and the Dykes on Bikes, a range of colourful, political, satirical and imaginative floats entertained not only those who attended, but those at home who were able to join in and watch the parade on SBS. Pop duo The Veronicas boarded the American Express float to perform some of their hit tracks, whilst Prime Minister Anthony Albanese made history, becoming the first sitting Prime Minister of Australia to March in Sydney's Mardi Gras parade.
Sydney Mardi Gras CEO, Albert Kruger, said, “After delivering the world-class Parade through the Pandemic over the past two years, we are thrilled to see the community unite once more on Oxford Street. With over 200 floats representing all corners of our communities, this is the perfect celebration as the world descends on Sydney for the first WorldPride in the Southern Hemisphere and we commemorate the 45th anniversary of the first Sydney Mardi Gras.”
Minister for Tourism and the Arts Ben Franklin said the NSW Government’s support of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras shows its commitment to make NSW a welcoming destination for all visitors. “We are immensely proud to be hosting the largest Pride event in the world. Mardi Gras is the biggest jewel in the WorldPride crown and was enjoyed by thousands on the streets and millions across the world,” Mr Franklin said. “The Mardi Gras Parade is about celebrating diversity, inclusion and showcasing Sydney on the world stage. It was fantastic to see the Pride community coming together to celebrate as one.”
This years parade has taken place during Sydney WorldPride, a global LGBTQIA+ festival that has been staged since 2000, with cities competing to host the event. From February 17-March 3, Sydney will host an array of free and ticketed events that spread across parties, concerts, visual arts, sport, theatre, dance, music and more, all in honour and celebration of our global LGBTQIA+ community.
Explore the 300+ free and ticketed events in the Sydney WorldPride Festival Guide. Final tickets to Rainbow Republic presented by Optus are available now.
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