I'm super pleased that I marched (with Rainbow Youth) in Auckland's Pride
Parade. It's given me a real appreciation for the value of celebrating pride,
and it's also put into perspective just how absolutely huge Sydney Mardi Gras
is.
Seriously. I have never seen so many queer and trans* people in one place
at one time and what an impression they made last night. The first thing I
noticed when we got to Oxford St before Mardi Gras was just how much effort
everyone had put into creating outfits to watch the parade in. It made for an
incredible atmosphere. People were really getting into the spirit of it. No one
was too shy to dish out or get a free hug, to take or be in your photo, or to
offer a 'happy mardi gras!' to strangers passing by.
Of course the atmosphere was just the appetizer to the main event. As the
light started to fade across Darlinghurst and the sky held its belly full of
rain, Dykes on Bikes came hurling down Oxford St to start off the show. At that
point the noise of their engines was possibly surpassed by the roaring of the
crowd - the spectators' hours of waiting for action was relieved with
the revving of damn fine motorbikes and the waves and winks of the ladies on top
of them.
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Once Dykes on Bikes had rode off into the night the parade entrants were
lead out in the only way possible: By the original 78' parade crew then the
Australian Defence Forces who marched in uniform for the first time. I had a
lump in my float as I watched the Navy, Army, Air Force, Fire Services and
Police walk into the night, all in uniforms, all in time, all with their heads
held high. What a moment to be part of. For my partner Jessica, it was all the
little bit more meaningful as she's currently trying to get into the New Zealand
Navy. For her and every other queer or trans* person who sees their future as
being with the forces, there is nothing more affirming than knowing your sexual
or gender identity would be accepted in the work place and celebrated with
pride. Although today's tragic story about Corporal Douglas Hughes is a reminder
there's still a long way to go towards equality in this sector, I'm convinced
that allowing Defence Force members to march in uniform is a good place to
start.
During the media briefing on Friday the parade organisers commented that
all they do is set the theme for the parade then leave it up to the participants
to style their floats. Once all entries have been received they start the
process of deciding what order to send them marching in. On the night it was
clear to see what a huge job this would have been as there were just so many
floats - 110 in total. After the Defence Forces marched the entrants were
divided into categories and it blew my mind how many different ones there
were.
First came community groups. Everything from Rainbow Children and Families,
to support groups to health organisations marched by. Each float was decorated
with sparkles and sequins and choreographed dances. Then there were activist
groups - all with a message to share, all with polished performances and hand
painted signs - a real community effort. There were then religious floats with
Christians apologising for the way their faith had treated queer and trans*
folk, political floats with all the major parties celebrating their rainbow
members, floats from Camberra and Perth and all around Australia, cultural
floats, sporting group floats, floats celebrating sexual energy and good times.
Then there were marching boys and dancing girls, queens and drag kings, singers
and performers, the diversity of entrants was truly incredible and somewhat
overwhelming.
Without being there it's hard to appreciate just how huge this parade is
and just how different Sydney's scene is to anything in New Zealand. To put it
in perspective, there are a dozen streets that have the vibe of K Road, and a
handful of suburbs that could all be Ponsonby or Grey Lynn - queer and trans*
life is just on a different scale here and that is reflected in the sheer size
of the parade. I could write pages more about Mardi Gras and
across-the-ditch comparisons, but that would get a bit dull so I'll leave you
with my top five moments from last night:
1) Walking along behind the scenes as the floats were getting ready and
chatting with a member of the Sydney Convicts, Australia's first gay inclusive
Rugby Union Club, about how there's no place for homophobia in sport and him
telling me he's a straight guy playing for the team - now that's how diversity
should be - we're all in this together!
2) Said (very cute) member running over to the media area and giving me a
huge hug as the Convicts marched out onto Oxford St.
3)Seeing the Defence Forces and Police march for the first time in
uniforms, with pride and openess. Spine tingling.
4) Dykes on Bikes. I had no idea just how amazing they would be to watch.
Not all butch dykes, not all femmes, just a beautiful mix of women on bikes -
impressive.
5) Macquarie Grammar School. Wow - just so happy that a high school decided
to put a float forward and let its students march. The school says it's entry
comes with a public protest to Sydney and the rest of the world: "We wont let
hatred grow. Put a little love in your heart!" We're hearing you, loud and
clear!
Leaving The Funkhouse now to go explore Bondi, more from Sydney
tomorrow.
Check out more of Hannah's pics here:
