Overview
This year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras brightened up the Harbour City back in February and March, complete with help from The Wiggles — but today, Friday, June 24, marks a huge milestone for the event. On this day back in 1978, Sydney's first-ever Mardi Gras was held. So, to celebrate, what better day to create a human progress pride flag on the Sydney Opera House steps?
That glorious display has already happened, taking place around lunchtime today. That said, like most things in life these days, there are photos. Nearly 1000 Sydneysiders lined up on the steps for the multi-hued display, arranged in colourful lines beneath one of the city's — and Australia's — most recognisable landmarks.
Daniel Boud
As well as commemorating the date, the flag was created — albeit temporarily, obviously — in the lead up to Sydney WorldPride in 2023. The New South Wales capital will host the global event from February 17–March 5 next year, which'll span 17 days and 300-plus LGBTQIA+ festivities.
Included on the Sydney WorldPride bill: the Mardi Gras Parade, of course. It'll make its way down Oxford Street for the first time in three years, after the pandemic scuppered its usual plans and sent it to the SCG in 2021 and 2022.
Sydney WorldPride will also feature a huge opening concert hosted by Courtney Act and Casey Donovan, pride villages set up in sections of Crown Street and Riley Street, a giant weekend-long street party on Oxford Street, a Bondi beach party that'll turn the iconic sandy stretch into a club for 12,000 people, and a Blak & Deadly First Nations gala concert.
Getty Images
Plus, there'll be a dance party in The Domain for 10,000, which is being dubbed as the biggest LGBQTIA+ outdoor dance party in Australia; a pride march, sending 50,000 people across the Sydney Harbour Bridge; and huge queer show Rainbow Republic, again at The Domain, this time with six hours of live music, DJs and performances spanning both international and local acts.
The Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference is also on the bill, as is a six-night First Nations gathering space at Carriageworks — and Ultra Violet, an inclusive LGBTQIA+ women's party at Town Hall.
Yes, it's going to be huge — and it's expected that more than 500,000 people will participate.
Getty Images
Sydney WorldPride will run from February 17–March 5, 2023. For more information, or for general ticket sales from 9am AEST on Friday, July 15, head to the event's website.
Images: Daniel Boud / Getty Images.