Our 2017 Mardi Gras Parade participants are proudly showing off their amazing outfits and cool choreography in wonderful videos – check them out below!
Hours of preparation went into the Different Strokes Dragon Boat Club‘s fantabolous merpeople, anemone and jellyfish costumes. Different Strokes was a proud recipient of a Google and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Community Parade Grant.
Dozens of volunteers helped sew, put lights together, edit the song, do the makeup and more. Their efforts were well worth it – and we love the glowing hula hoops!
SBS got high-tech with the video below. They shot some of the Parade in 360 degrees, so you can look around the spectacular scene by dragging around the clip with your thumb or mouse, or immerse yourself in the VR experience using Google Cardboard.
Australia’s largest LGBTQI health organisation is an essential part of every big Mardi Gras event. See how ACON’s crew got ready for the Parade and marched led by great dancers in their skimpy pink, blue and green straps. You can learn more about ACON’s Ending HIV campaign here.
Lifesavers with Pride first entered the Mardi Gras Parade 10 years ago and they’ve been a crowd favourite ever since! Find out how inclusive Surf Life Saving Australia has become on the video below.
2017 is the first year Scouts NSW has marched in the Mardi Gras Parade. “Scouting should reflect the societies in which it exists and actively work to welcome all individuals without distinction,” they say.
NSW Scouts looks to include all young people and volunteer adults regardless of sex, sexuality or gender identity. See the crowd cheer for them at the Parade below.
QANTAS was there at the Parade, covering Oxford Street with shiny confetti! It’s the third year our national airline has participated in the Mardi Gras Parade, and this time the ‘Rainbow Roo’ evolved into Qantas business class, with special guest Aria award winner Troye Sivan.
The Glamcocks group met at the Nevada Desert’s Burning Man festival and unite again at Mardi Gras. They say they proudly march in the Parade to share our message of radical self-expression and inclusion in front of a euphoric crowd.
“We danced. We kissed. We celebrated. Most of all, we made new friends and great connections. Sydney, you are fabulous! Happy Mardi Gras!”
Want more? Thanks to SBS and JOY 94.9, you can watch the live stream video of the entire 2017 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade below.