A festival of LGBTI Art, Cinema, Trivia, Debates, Sports, Fundraising Activities and Club Events across Sydney.
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Sydney PRIDE Festival Launch
Three Sisters Social Group
QUEEN The Party
BARCODE WINTER WHITE PARTY
3 Sisters Social Group
EXTRA DIRTY
Trans Sydney Pride
PRIDE RADIO 893fm
DRAG BRUNCH
The Drag Ball 2018
VIVID PRIDE Harbour Cruise
belloccio restaurant
SUPER HEROES
BEAR BAR
OutStanding Short Story Competition Launch!
SPORTS EXPO
On A Tour In Summer Hill
PRIDE FESTIVAL 2018
TELLING TALES LIVE
Free LGBTI Self Defence Workshop
TAP Gallery Exhibition
PRIDE OF PLACE CONFERENCE
Dungeons and Drag Kweens
RIOT 69 Dance Party
AURORA BALL
PRIDE Awards40 Years of Love, which its creators describe as a “big, bold and sassy artwork based on concepts of public protest, joyous celebration, community activation and engagement”, was announced as the winner of the Taylor Square Public Art Project today by Lord Mayor Clover Moore. The project winner, launched by Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and proudly supported by the City of Sydney, is designed on a large triangular aluminium truss that rises above the existing grass island and water fountain to transform the space into a light-filled pavilion. |
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Proudly Supported By:
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A PRIDE History
PRIDE History
After the Stonewall riots in 1969, many LGBT people—even those that did not witness the rebellion—were inspired to contribute to the cause. Gay rights had entered the national spotlight. LGBT people began organizing, protesting and mobilizing. On July 4, 1969, a year after the Stonewall riots, the Mattachine Society along with Frank Kameny, Craig Rodwell, Randy Wicker, Barbara Gittings, Kay Lahusen and many others, picketed in front of Independence Hall in Philadelphia in what was called the Annual Reminder. The protest was quiet and organized to the dismay of Craig Rodwell who felt Frank Kemeny and Mattachine's methods of calm protest were not enough.
Rodwell returned to New York City and organized Christopher Street Liberation Day. The march, held on June 28, 1970, was the first gay pride march in the U.S., covering 51 blocks from Christopher Street to Central Park. Today, LGBT pride parades and festivals are held annually in multiple cities and countries throughout the world. The month of June is widely considered Gay Pride Month.
Sydney PRIDE History
The first Mardi Gras was held on 24 June 1978 at 10 pm as a night-time celebration following a morning protest march and commemoration of the Stonewall Riots More than 500 people moved down Oxford St, calling for an end to discrimination against homosexuals in employment and housing, an end to police harassment and the repeal of all anti-homosexual laws. Although the organizers had obtained permission, this was revoked, and the march was broken up by the police. 53 of the marchers were arrested although most charges were eventually dropped, the Sydney Morning Herald published the names of those arrested in full, leading to many people being outed to their friends and places of employment, and many of those arrested lost their jobs as homosexuality was a crime in New South Wales (NSW) until 1984The Mardi Gras Parade occurred again in 1979, and was attended by 3000 people. While there was a large police presence, there were no arrests made. In 1980, no Parade was held, but following community consultation, decisions were made to move the parade to the summer. In 1981 the parade was shifted to February, with the name changed to the "Sydney Gay Mardi Gras an increasingly large number of people not only participated in the now summertime event, but a crowd of 5000 came to watch it. The mid 1980s saw considerable pressure placed to the Mardi Gras Committee following media controversy regarding AIDS. Despite calls for the Parade and Party to be banned, the Parade went ahead with theme “Fighting for Our Lives”.
The first giant post-parade party was held in 1982, which 4000 people attended. This would continue to become an integral part of the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. In 1988 the parade was renamed the "Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras" at an Extraordinary General Meeting.
By 1993, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade had become the largest night time outdoor parade in the world. Mardi Gras' Economic Impact Study found that Mardi Gras' total impact into the Australian economy was around $38 million Sydney Mardi Gras is one of the biggest GLBT Celebrations in the World and 2011 was attended by record crowds.
A Word
The Pioneers have lead the way and fought for our rights and it is time for all of us to come together to move forward and create the future.
We will pass on the history and learn from it and work towards more acceptance. This is Pride! The Sydney Pride Festival is a special time for the LGBTQI community as we remember the history and celebrate the present and look forward to a day when everyone is Equal. Sydney Pride Festival is a not for profit event which supports a wide range of LGBTQI Charities, Organizations and businesses.
This Sydney Pride festival will include events throughout Sydney that are fun and affordable for everyone. The events will raise much needed funds for Charity and showcase our community and achievements.
This is a time to remember The History of the Stonewall Riots and the beginning of Gay liberation as we know it.
The Sydney Pride festival is dedicated to those that lead the way back in 1969 who fought for equality and human rights and the incredible strength of our friends who marched in the first Sydney Mardi Gras in 1978.
Homosexuality is still illegal in many countries and the right to love and the choice to marry our partners in Australia still evades us. The Sydney Pride festival is a time for us to stand strong with our community, family and friends The festival will feature Art, Cinema, Trivia, Debates, Sports, Fundraising activities and Club events across Sydney. The Sydney Pride Festival would like to thank the volunteers, event organizers, sponsors and LGBTQI community and our straight friends for all their support.
Calling on all LGBTQI people and their friends to make a difference together. Enjoy the festivities!
Contact Sydney Pride
to show your True Colours and together we can make a difference.
Venues, Event Promoters, Performers and Volunteers
who'd would like to participate can
contact Glenn at info@sydneypride.com
or use this form.