Tens of thousands of Mardi Gras revellers returned to Sydney’s Oxford Street on Saturday night, in what organisers say was one of their biggest parades yet.
The street and surrounding areas were bursting with colour and party vibes as people jostled from early in the morning for prime viewing spots, two years after COVID-19 forced the event to be relocated to the Sydney Cricket Ground.
“This is one of the most electric atmospheres I’ve seen in a very, very long time,” Mardi Gras chief executive Albert Kruger said.
“And of course, it’s all about equality. It’s all about partying with purpose.
“For the first time in history, we have the prime minister marching in the parade, which just signals to the rest of the world that we are accepted.”
The parade is the biggest event in the WorldPride festival, and according to the state’s tourism minister was enjoyed by millions across the world.
This year more than 12,000 people were involved in the 208 floats representing the LGBT+ community from all sectors of society.
Fireworks were also set off along the 2.4-kilometre route in rainbow colours.
In a tradition since 1991, Dykes on Bikes kicked off the night’s festivities, closely followed by Boys on Bikes, and the First Nations float which featured a serpent made out of parachute material snaking down Oxford Street.
A smoking ceremony earlier in the night acknowledged the Gadigal land of the Eora Nation.
And in a nod to how and why Mardi Gras began, floats paying homage to the 78ers and the ongoing struggles for LGBT+ rights were front and centre.
Lance Mumby and Peter Clare were among those protesting in 1978. They have been together for 46 years, attending Mardi Gras for just as long.
“I’m feeling more recognition of the 78ers, whereas in the past it sort of comes and goes. It has been very full on this year,” Lance said.
Peter added that he has been “very emotional”, with people coming up and “giving you a hug”.
In an historic appearance, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese marched with other NSW Labor Party members, including state opposition leader Chris Minns.
“It’s unfortunate that I am the first, but this is a celebration of modern Australia; we’re a diverse, inclusive Australia and that’s a good thing,” Mr Albanese said.
“People want to see that their government is inclusive and represents everyone, no matter who they love, no matter what their identity, no matter where they live.”
Representation from different countries featured strongly in the parade. Queer Irish, the Chinese Pride, the Scottish Bravehearts, and Brazilians all had floats.
Eddie Oba has been to six parades since moving to Australia nine years ago. For him, Mardi Gras is very personal.
“Because in my country of origin, Nigeria, a gay person can go to jail for 14 years,” he said.
“It’s the seasonal celebration of how far we’ve come and how progressive we’ve become, and also a stark reminder that’s there’s a still lots of work to be done.”
Another big theme of the evening was the visibility of pro-trans rights groups, including youth groups, parents and mental health advocacy organisations.
“Protect trans kids,” read many posters.
Much like those marching, the crowd was lively and energetic throughout the five-hour spectacle — with some spectators sitting on the fence line for almost 12 hours to secure a spot.
Western Australians Peta and Mel came prepared with collapsible stools and an esky full of goodies.
Others carried fans, umbrellas and used rainbow flags to protect themselves from the Sydney heat, which reached a balmy 26 degrees.
They, unlike those who wandered in later to find the crowd 30 people deep, had an uninterrupted view of the event.
Charlotte and Hayley Fitzpatrick were one such couple.
With their forearms perched on the fence line, the high school sweethearts — who said they were one of the first same sex couples to be married in the ACT — described how important it was for them to be there.
“It’s our first parade, and we wanted it to be on Oxford Street,” Hayley said.
“We’ll bring the kids next weekend to March over the bridge.”
As the parade came to a close, several spontaneous dance circles erupted at the fence lines, before revellers moved on to find their next activity.
For some, it was home to bed.
For others — the night was just beginning.
