15 February- 3 March

Last year, Sydney Mardi Gras celebrated its 40th anniversary and the event is unrecognisable from the first protest in 1978, which ended with arrests and police brutality against the marchers. That first march was the catalyst for legislation repealing the law which allowed those arrests to happen. It was a major civil rights milestone that led to 3,000 people marching the following year, and the first post- parade parties the next year. Mardi Gras is now one of Sydney’s biggest events, with more than 500,000 spectators and over 12,000 participants. Although there is very much a party atmosphere, with marriage equality in Australia having been introduced only a year ago, there is still plenty to march for. For two weeks before the parade on 2 March, there will be a programme filled with enticing events including cabaret by one of our favourite groups, Briefs, plus theatre, art exhibitions and talks. And, of course, there are going to be more parties than you can shake a didgeridoo at.

SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS