Culture

Mardi Gras Celebrated LGBTIQ People And Kylie Minogue

Though glitter was banned, there was still an abundance of sparkle at 2019's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

by Amanda Yeo  3 March 2019
2019 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

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Last night, thousands of people adorned themselves in colourful fabrics, blasted iconic songs, and danced through Sydney’s streets. It was the 2019’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, and though glitter was banned this year, there was still an abundance of sparkle.

First held in 1978 with only a couple of thousand attendees, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has since grown to be a massive annual event celebrating LGBTIQ identities.

This year, 12,500 people and nearly 200 floats danced down Oxford Street, veering down Flinders Street to end their 1.7km journey in Moore Park. Over 300,000 people lined the streets to watch, attracted from all over the world, with more viewing the procession via SBS’ live stream.

For the first time, the parade began with an Indigenous smoking ceremony welcoming the revellers, recognising the Gadigal people of the Eora nation. The First Nations float lead the parade, followed by the 78ers, comprised of people who attended the very first Mardi Gras.

The theme this year was “Fearless”, and more than one float blasted The Greatest Showman‘s highly appropriate ‘This Is Me’. The vocal stylings of Freddie Mercury also made several appearances, because Queen will never not be relevant.

Possibly the most inspired song choice of the night was by the Sydney Dance Company, whose contingent performed coordinated choreography to a playlist that included ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’.

One of the highlights of the parade was a surprise appearance by pop icon Kylie Minogue, who emerged from the crowd around halfway through the parade, draped in a one-shouldered gold dress like some sort of golden goddess.

News of her attendance had gotten out yesterday morning but she remained unlisted in the parade running order, leaving people unsure of when to expect her.

Backed by dancers in red neckerchiefs and jeans, a group of drag queens performed to a medley of Minogue’s songs while she danced on the sidelines. The queens also recreated some of Minogue’s most iconic looks, including the plunging neckline of her ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ outfit and her gold ‘Spinning Around’ hot pants.

Also appearing was Minogue’s alma mater Neighbours, who had a Mardi Gras float for the first time. The Neighbours float celebrated the marriage between gay characters Aaron Brennan (Matt Wilson) and David Tanaka (Takaya Honda).

If you missed the parade, the recorded live stream will air on SBS tonight at 8:30PM AEDT.