11 Of The Most Iconic Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Moments Of All Time
Captain Morgan is Junkee's new Captain of Culture and he's about to make some captain's calls about everything you love.
For 42 years, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade has shone bright in defense and celebration of LGBTIQ+ rights and culture. Between the beautiful boats and the floats-full of seamen, you know this Captain loves the spectacle.
Ahead of this year’s big bash on Saturday, February 29 – themed ‘What Matters!’ – I wanted to honour the most iconic moments of the parade. They sparkle more than a glitter-beard, which I know from experience is a great look for the night.
1978: The First Parade
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When you’re at sea, we say there’s no point to a compass if you don’t know where you’re going – or where you’ve come from.
The first Mardi Gras parade wasn’t as shiny as it is now, but it built a legacy. On June 9, 1978, 400 LGBTIQ+ people marched down Oxford Street to celebrate the nine-year anniversary of the Stonewall Riots and call for equality under the law.
A lone truck blasted disco music, with revellers dancing behind before police confiscated the vehicle and later arrested 53 people. Protests kicked off for months, and under pressure, the laws that banned the parade were repealed — beginning 40+ years of party and protest, all rolled into one.
1980: The First Floats
After a peaceful second year of no arrests, the 1980 Mardi Gras parade rocked the boat by introducing floats, giving the parade the larger-than-life atmosphere it has today. Of the bunch, my favourite has to be the Village People dedication, even though I’ve always been a little upset they didn’t have a sixth member, a sexy sea captain, perhaps…?
1988: The Dykes On Bikes Ride On In
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Dykes on Bikes are some of the parade’s most iconic participants. For years now, they’re front of the pack, waving to crowds on their steely motorcycle, or, as I think of them, mini metal land-ships.
The first of the bunch were led by Kimberly O’Sullivan and Deb Thompson back in 1988, after the pair saw a group of lesbian bikies at the San Francisco Pride Parade the year before.
1988: The First First Nations Float
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Mardi Gras’ inaugural First Nations float was mighty. Starboard on top of a sea-faring ship was Indigenous dancer Malcolm Cole, dressed as Captain Cook. Land-locked, it was pushed forth by a group of white men.
Since then, the First Nations float has continued to celebrate Indigenous LGBTIQ+ people. Other highlights are 2017’s ‘Revolution’ bus, a double-decker float filled with First Nations elders, and 2018’s contingency, led by fabulous local drag legend Felicia Foxx.
1997 + 2013: The Lemonheads
The all-female Lemonheads – it’s all in the name – made more than a citrus splash back in 1997, with their bright colours and tight choreography. Becoming one of the most-remembered floats of all-time, the look was eventually recreated in 2013. Anything but sour, mates.
1999: Honouring Those Not Here
For all the glitter and glamour, the Mardi Gras parade always remembers those who can’t be there to march. In 1999, a procession of shirtless men in dresses carried two large, flowing ribbons above them, in remembrance to those who had passed from AIDS. It was a show-stopping moment.
2012: Can’t Get Kylie Out Of Our Heads
Kylie Minogue has popped up at Mardi Gras across the years, but there never was a night like this. In 2012, Australia’s princess of pop glided up Oxford Street backed by 140 dancers as her biggest hits blasted.
2014: Baz Lurhmann’s ‘Strictly Mardi Gras’
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In 2014, Mardi Gras paid homage to one of Australia’s camp classics, Strictly Ballroom. There were chorus lines of feather boas, people dressed as disco balls and more confetti cannons than you can count, complete with a massive dance number.
2017: Say Yes To Love!
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With the plebiscite on same-sex marriage looming, 2017’s Mardi Gras went big and beautiful on the message that love is love. Every second float demanded marriage equality, with brazen, moving displays of love everywhere you looked.
2018: Cher
Despite all the historic floats, it’s hard to look past Cher. In 2018, the diva – booked for the After Party – made a heavily rumoured appearance when she suddenly popped up mid-parade, surrounded by sailors and Cher impersonators, with my invite lost in the seas, no doubt.
The siren’s call of choice? ‘Believe’.
2018: ’78ers Celebrate 40 Years Of Mardi Gras
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Marking 40 years of the Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras, the ’78ers – those there at the very first Mardi Gras – led the parade in full-force in 2018, with many marching only for the second time. It might’ve been even more moving than Cher herself.
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Be sure to keep up with my van life adventure on Instagram @captainmorganau.
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(Lead image: Juliette F / Unsplash)