Sydney’s Rainbow Mardi Gras – The Adventures of Nick and Pam

A few weeks ago, Nick and I were at our favourite local pub having a mid-day pint (as one does) and discovered brochures for something amazing: a gay & lesbian Mardi Gras! It’s effectively Sydney’s gay pride festival, stemming from protests in 1978 (homosexuality was still illegal until 1984 in New South Wales). You can read more about the history here at the Wikipedia article. Nick and I learned that Mardi Gras is Sydney’s second-biggest tourist even of the year!

The celebrations began on a Sunday with Mardi Gras fair day – a day of live music, food, and drinks. Next year we will stay for the whole day as we were having a lovely time, but we had a Chinese New Year parade to get to later in the evening.

Live music & comedy at Fair Day. Next year we will stick around - but we had a Chinese New Year parade to catch! — Live music & comedy at Fair Day. Next year we will stick around – but we had a Chinese New Year parade to catch!

Proud to support our LGBTIQ friends. — Proud to support our LGBTIQ friends, family, and coworkers.

Giant sausages abounded at Mardi Gras Fair Day.

The following weekend (actually, last night) was the parade. Nick and I were super excited for this event and it did not disappoint. The floats, costumes, and dancers were amazing.

Qantas' "rainbow roo" float / I prefer the "Gay380" :-) — Qantas’ “rainbow roo” float / I prefer the “Gay380” 🙂

We saw lots of amazing outfits among our fellow spectators.

The police even showed up...with their police-Porsche. — The police even showed up…with their police-Porsche.

All business in front... — All business in front…

...party in the back. — …party in the back.