Hi Paul,

I think that many people have moved on. Even the police
force in Sydney now marches in the Gay Mardi Gras Parade.
So gone are the police bashings of days of old. Also the
same-sex marriage legislation passed - which many thought
wouldn't.

Still I dare say there are a few people who for religious
reasons won't give their support - like the guy from Kiwi
Copy in Sydney who refused to make copies of a flyer.

But over 500,000 visitors (maybe more) are expected to attend
including visitors from overseas. So it is a very big deal
for the city. Anyway we'll see how it pans out. I've spoken
to a few Sydneysiders - and they are excited about the events.
They say it's good for the economy.

I wonder if this will ever catch on in other cities around
Australia. Not on such a large scale as this. This is a
special event. But on a smaller scale of LGBTQI celebrations?

My apologies. The guy was from Kwik Copy.

Pathetic attention-seekers and show offs the lot of them, including Ockernese, who wants to be the 'first PM to march in a homosexual Mardi Gras. What a disgusting exhibition that will be: our PM, televised world wide, poncing along with a bunch of barely-clad homosexuals. No wonder China thinks that we will be a pushover.

Dear Armchair Critic,

A short history lesson for up as to why Mardi Gras parades down Oxford Street and not ... "in some cow-paddock in the middle of nowhere like other festivals".

In 1978 a number of individuals went into the bars along Oxford Street asking customers to join them in a protest highlighting discrimination (at that time) against homosexuals and a plea to introduce law reform in this area. The subsequent protest march ended with unimagined police violence, arrests and 'outings'. (There is plenty of documented evidence of just how bad it was should you wish to check, or in case you don't believe me.)

So, I make no apology to you or anyone else if we remember and celebrate this important event in our history 'in situ'

Foxy,

Thanks for the link to the events.

My niece, Carly, is performing:

Chase
Gadigal Land
Carriageworks

Hi Poirot,

I wish we could go to Sydney and attend some of
the events. Sydney is my hometown where I grew up.
I'm so happy that it's finally grown up - and an
event such as this is now taking place.

There's so many talented people in our society that
have been ignored for so long. Writers, poets,
artists, actors, film producers, dancers, musicians,
singers, so many who were unable to let us know who
they really were and had to comply with what was
"acceptable" .Now the freedom they must be feeling
to be able to just be themselves.

That's worth celebrating!

Go Sydney!