Culture

Sydney Pride: 30 Years On

by Jordan Yerman | March 1, 2008 at 07:50 am

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Sydney's Mardi Gras parade has come a long way in thrity years. Back in the day, the event began as a protest when homosexuality was still ilegal in Australia. Today, it has grown into a full-fledged tourist attraction.

This year's parade is the largest ever, with 10,000 participants, including a military contingent, strutting their stuff in colourful costumes.

The event has become one of the largest gay pride festivals in the world and generates millions in tourism revenue.

Members of the original 1978 march, which ended in clashes with police and 50 arrests, are being honoured.

About 100 ministers and clergy will offer an apology for the treatment of gays and lesbians.

The event attracts people from around the world. Air New Zealand put on a special "pink flight" from San Francisco to Sydney.

As usual, the lesbian motorcycle group Dykes on Bikes began the procession up central Sydney's Oxford Street, followed by nearly 200 of the original "class of '78" or their partners.

For the first time, an official contingent from the Australian Defence Force is taking part.

"Mardi Gras is all about the festival and it's all about telling
Australia our stories, our lives, and showing Australia that our
love is not a second-class love and shouldn't be treated as such," [Marcus Bourget, event head] said.

"So it's all about compassion, understanding and acceptance, so
I think they're universal values.