Partygoers have taken to the streets of Sydney following the city’s annual pride parade and, while spirits were high, there’s likely to be a few sore heads in the morning.
Earlier in the evening, tens of thousands of people lined Oxford Street and craned necks from rooftops and balconies to catch a glimpse of 181 floats taking part in the 47th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
A sea of fluorescent colour, eye-capturing costumes and thousands of people just looking to join the fun overtook central Sydney well after the parade drew to a close.
Anthony Albanese had earlier marched for the third time as prime minister while Deputy Premier Prue Car was among several state ministers joining public servants in NSW government floats.
Independent Senator Lidia Thorpe made an appearance this year after she brought the parade to a temporary halt two years ago when she lay down on the road in front of a float.
Mardi Gras was a celebration of how far the community had come while sadly marking an uptick in verbal abuse, threats of violence and assaults, Equality Australia said.
‘It’s a reminder that for many people in our communities, particularly trans people, such targeted acts of hate are a year-round occurrence and that despite our gains we are still fighting for equal rights and protections in the law,’ chief executive Anna Brown said.
Pubs and clubs in central Sydney kept their doors open to welcome partygoers and streets were closed off as well behaved crowds spilled out over the pavement.
The city’s hospitality industry is making the most of the night with party’s at venues across the city welcoming locals along with those those from interstates and overseas.
The most sought-after ticket? The eight-hour Mardi Gras Party rave at Moore Park, where more than 10,000 are expected to party to dawn.
A sea of fluorescent colour, eye-capturing costumes and thousands of people just looking to join the fun overtook central Sydney well after the parade drew to a close
Pubs and clubs in central Sydney kept their doors open to welcome partygoers and streets were closed off as well behaved crowds spilled out over the pavement
Anthony AlbaneseLidia Thorpe
