The Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is an event that is composed of intricate parades that is
celebrated popularly by some cities in the United States such as Biloxi,
Pensacola, Mobile and most New Orleans. The reason for the of
celebration Mardi Gras in the United States vary from city to city but
they all have one thing in common, it is a Carnival of fun that everyone
can enjoy, from the extravagant floats to the vigorous performances in
the parade that also sometimes represent modern-day issues in an ironic
way. Mardi Gras has been a continuing festivity that is celebrated
widely in the world.
Australia celebrates Mardi Gras annually as a form of expression of a
more delicate and pressing matter. The extravagant parade held each year
is symbolic of the movement of the freedom, acknowledgement
and liberation of the lesbian and gay community in Australia.
Let’s delve a bit into the history of Mardi Gras and how it became as we
know it today in Australia. The very first commencement of the
celebration was on the 24th of June 1978. It was some sort of an after
party following a protest against homosexual discrimination. There were
quite a number of people that were arrested during the parade. The
humiliation did not stop there; the names of the arrested
individuals were published in the paper. Since at that time being gay or
lesbian is a crime some were disgraced, ridiculed and lost their job.
Kindled by the spirit of fighting for their liberation the yearly
parade did not stop and finally in 1981 the occasion became known as the
“Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.”
In the last couple of years, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, has been
celebrated on the first Saturday of March. A vast parade that stretches
its way through the streets of Sydney is admired by thousands of
spectators who are always awed by the exquisiteness of the floats and
the people in the parade. Yearly a Grand Marshall is chosen to lead the
parade; a person who embodies what Mardi Gras stands for.
The arrests made in the 70’s made a whole lot of impact that up to now
every parade still speaks of the rights of the lesbian and gay
community. The 2011 parade centered on the matter of same sex marriage
which is seen through numerous floats that were themed to support the
subject.
Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, is one of the aced festivity that
Australia has. It brings forth more than $30 million of revenue for the
state of New South Wales. Aside from the over-elaborate floats and
sparkling performances during this event that attracts hundreds of
thousands of people each year Mardi Gras still lives because of the
strong will of the LGBT to continue to battle for their pride and
liberty.
For more information about the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras please
refer to this site:
Website: www.mardigras.org.au/
Address: Suite 6 / 94 Oxford Street Darlinghurst New South Wales
Australia 2010
Phone: +612 9383 0900
Fax: +612 9383 0966
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