Mardi Gras : News - Same sex marriage to feature strongly in 2011 Parade

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Same sex marriage to feature strongly in 2011 Parade

Applications have now closed for entry into the 2011 Mardi Gras Parade, with a picture starting to emerge about what the world?s most fabulous march will look like this year – and the strongest theme is that of same-sex marriage.

Expect a visual extravaganza – from cyber punk cheerleaders and gothic gridiron players to giant peacocks, gargantuan sparkling fish to a replica harbour bridge, stilt-walkers to fabulously attired gods and goddesses. Click to view fullsize image.

Strutting their stuff in the Parade will also be smoking dragons, tradie drag kings and statuesque drag queens, a giant swan cavorting with dozens of dancing Marie Antoinettes, vampires and victims, a golden carriage drawn by rubber-clad human horses – and of course, the „foreplay? or pre-show to the Parade will be the roaring spectacle of hundreds of dykes and boys on over 200 motorbikes.

But the theme of same-sex marriage is the strongest one to emerge in this year?s Parade. In response to the Say Something campaign underpinning this year?s Mardi Gras, at least 15 floats this year have chosen to voice their opposition to the fact that Australian law does not recognise same-sex marriage.

Against the backdrop of increased international pressure on Australia to change federal marriage laws, after the United Nations Human Rights Council last week urged Australia to recognise same-sex marriage, the GLBTQ communities will be sending a clear message in this year?s Parade.

Brides and brides, grooms and grooms will feature as the 2011 Parade?s most predominant theme – and, in true Mardi Gras style, larger-than-life theatricality will be the flavour of the night.
There will be a special same-sex marriage themed, extravagant spectacle in the Parade this year – more details to be revealed closer to the time.

Parade Producer Vicktor Petroff said: "This year?s Parade is starting to take shape, and what?s clear is that our communities have something to say, and 1001 creative and artistically exciting ways of saying it.

Same-sex marriage is clearly the big issue that our community wants to say something about in this year?s Parade. We are planning something huge and spectacular that will send a loud and clear message to the world about how strongly our community feels about this issue – watch this space!