This is not the usual image we see these days when shown coverage of the Sydney Mardi Gras.
Though the last one did get a bit rowdy, more on that later.
But the event started out in 1978 with a Gay rights protest march which built momentum on Oxford Street as the protesters received support from those coming out of the bars and onto the street.
Naturally it got out of hand and as you see above 53 people were arrested. Only 2 ended up being charged and the rest were let go.
What was most shameful were the actions of the Sydney Morning Herald who published the full names of every person arrested that night. Not only were they publicly "Outed" as gay on a grand scale, they were "outed" as criminals too.
You see in 1978 it was illegal to be homosexual in New South Wales. Let that sink in for a moment.
This was only changed in 1984. just under 30 years ago.
Many lost their jobs because of this publication and were isolated by their families for the shame it brought them.
A year later the first Mardi Gras Parade occurred in 1979 and the Summary Offences Act which most of the arrest were made under a year previous, was repealed by Neville Wran, Premier of NSW.
The 80s brought major transformation for the Parade and whilst it was rested in 1980, they moved it to February and this new style of Parade drew a crowd of 5,000 people. By 1983 this had grown to 20,000 people and by 1987 it drew 100,000 people. The emergence of the AIDS virus brought considerable pressure to cancel the event in 1985, but it was supported strongly enough to continue on.
By 1991 this parade had become the biggest in Australia and in 1993 it had grown to be the biggest "Night time" parade in the world.
In recent times the Mardi Gras has gone in many directions and copped a lot of criticism from both within the community and the broader community. Changes had been made that offended and bothered many who previously had either identified with or continued to not identify with the community spirit branded within the organisation that put it together.
These days it is meant to be a celebration of the freedom now experienced by those who would otherwise be continually oppressed by society and the legislation that is now dissolved. There is still much hate and opposition to the gay community and the parade should serve as a means to bring peace and understanding and acceptance to those differing groups.
My view,however is that most of the content of the parade is more divisive than inclusive and seems to be quiet abrasive to those from the broader community. Whilst it does draw a large audience, if you look around at those who are watching, not all are supporting the community. They are laughing and having a good time and mimicking the participants. But is that flattery or are they there to poke fun at the strange people?
Whether it has degenerated into a fleshy freak show or an excuse to be exhibitionists it still holds a strong political element and this is often lost in the flashiness of the parade.
But there is a fine line between informing and entertaining and maybe the parade just wants to entertain people and there is nothing wrong with that.
There was a lot of uproar about alleged police brutality at the parade, but it went away very quickly. There were conflicting versions of what actually occurred so you have to realise there is always at least two viewpoints to a situation and whilst Police brutality is unacceptable, so too is disrespecting their authority.
But like it or loathe it, the Sydney Mardi Gras is popular around the world and brings millions of dollars to our city.
Let's just not forget how difficult it was to be gay in Sydney before this parade was even a protest march.
J G S
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