The 46th Sydney Mardi Gras parade will begin with a moment of silence to honour the lives of young couple Luke Davies and Jesse Baird.
The commemorative tribute for the Sydney couple — who were allegedly murdered last month — will be signalled as community guardian group Dykes on Bikes pause in front of Taylor Square.
“As we come together to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance at this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, we also take a moment to reflect, remember, and pay our respects,” a statement from organisers read.
Mr Davies and Mr Baird were allegedly murdered by serving police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon.
A community vigil for Mr Davies and Mr Baird was held in nearby Green Park yesterday evening, while letters and flowers have been left at Mr Baird’s Paddington terrace over the last fortnight.
In the lead up, marchers flocked to Hyde Park, dressed head to toe in glitter, rainbows, mesh and feathers.
The float attendees practiced their moves on the grass ahead of the 7:30pm roll call, while others cheered in group photos to the call of “3,2,1 Mardi Gras!”
Two hours before showtime, performers took to the street dancing with live DJs and touching up make-up as final preparations were made.
More than 200 floats and 12,000 marchers are expected to pass through the busy thoroughfare in the inner-city precinct tonight, spaced across Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade.
The theme for this year’s parade is ‘Our Future’, with a nod to the past and how far the LGBTQIA+ community has come to be marked by the participants who drove the first Sydney Mardi Gras in June 1978.
Harry and Ross are 78ers, who have been marching annually for nearly 45 years.
Between the two of them, they’ve only missed five in that time.
Ross said being able to “speak our minds and talk like this” in 2024 represents how far the community has come.
“Years ago you could never stand in front of someone and say you were an openly gay person,” he said.
“I hope everyone enjoys themselves and I hope there’s no trouble.”
“I’ve found most of the young people don’t want (police) to march, but most older people say let them march,” Harry said.
Organisers of the parade initially asked police not to take part in the event due to fears their presence could cause distress in the community over the alleged murders of Mr Baird and Mr Davies.
However, that decision was reversed after a meeting with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb as officers were allowed to march in the parade but not in their uniforms.