Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade – Diversity in Full Display

Organizers of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade highlight the LGBTQ+ communities in Sydney and Australia’s diversity.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade may be over, but we’re still buzzing about the palpable excitement on Saturday, February 25, 2023. It was also a celebration to commemorate the first Mardi Gras March 45 years ago. In Sydney, Oxford Street was buzzing with excitement as LGBTQIA+ communities showed their pride with more than 12,500 marchers and 207 floats! 

The crowd erupted in applause as Australia’s First Nations, 78ers, and Dykes on Bikes started off the parade followed by a range of colorful, political, satirical, and imaginative floats. 

This year’s Festival theme, “Gather, Dream, Amplify,” came to life as bigger floats followed a new revamped route from Hyde Park to Moore Park and included a new Parade route milestone, Drivers Triangle, located by the new parade viewing areas, including the VIP Diamond Club.  Lighting and fireworks definitely enhanced the annual parade. It was a welcomed return of an event well attended by both locals and international travelers, including LGBTQ+ celebrities from the United States, such as Andy Cohen and Carson Kressley. 

Organizers of Sydney Mardi Gras were happy for its return. “After delivering the world-class parade through the pandemic over the past few years, we are thrilled to see the community untie once more on Oxford Street,” said Albert Kruger, CEO of Sydney Mardi Gras. “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 of the Arts Ben Franklin said the New South Wales 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 street and millions across the world,” said Franklin. “The Mardi Gras Parade is about celebrating diversity and inclusion as well as showcasing Sydney on the world stage. It was fantastic to see the Pride community together to celebrate as one.”

Black Rainbow, Deaf Rainbow NSW, First Peoples Disability Network Australia, Fruits of Brazil Inc., Gender Free Japanese, LGBTQIA+ Latinx in Sydney, and Thai’d Together, which included a few Trans beauty pageant queens. A small contingent also repped the Gay Games Hong Kong and Chicago Pride. 

The 2023 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival is 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. Visit https://www.mardigras.org.au for more information about Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras!