Asguard
03-01-08, 05:52 AM
(this will probably end up in ethics but it should start here anyway)
Today is the 30th anniversary of the gay and lesbian Mardi Gras so lets see whats changed
30 years ago the Mardi Gras was a protest march against the laws criminalizing gays and lesbians and there was a mass arrest at the end
Today the march is about pride rather than protest and is seen as a massive tourist venture for Sydney. Its one of the worlds biggest gay pride marches.
Also for the first time today members of the Australian defence force were allowed to openly march in a reversal of 30 years of policy.
Lastly for the first time today a group of clergy were marching as an apology for how the Christan churches had treated the gay and lesbian community
When combined with the apology for the aboriginal people it seems that the change of government has brought in a whole new era for Australia
:bravo::yay::cheers:
Mardi Gras founders lead parade
THE "78ers", the original marchers who staged Sydney's inaugural Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 30 years ago, drew a rapturous cheer as they paused in central Oxford Street this evening.
Diane Minnis, who was among the group, said she never envisaged their original 1500-strong protest march could morph into the multicoloured spectacle and celebration that continues today.
"Absolutely not ... but we're very glad that it did because it makes being gay, lesbian, transsexual, etcetera, very visible and that's what we still need," she said this evening.
Ms Minnis, aged in her 50s and from Potts Point, said the now internationally renowned event had become an "important celebratory beacon" and "we're proud to have started it".
The 30th annual Mardi Gras parade drew 10,000 costumed and flesh-baring participants, spread across 4km and 150 themed floats including a gay "Popemobile".
Tens of thousands of people lined the central Sydney route to watch the parade, many waving rainbow-coloured flags in a symbol of diversity and inclusiveness.
The 78ers led the procession – 186 people including the original 1978 marchers and their partners – and Ms Minnis said it was an emotional experience.
Much had changed in the past 30 years, she said, but other things had not.
"It is still very difficult for young people in country towns to come out as lesbian or gay, and even in outer suburbs and regional centres," she said.
"We don't have the same rights as the majority of the population and there is always going to be discrimination and homophobia.
"The police are far less hostile but we've still got situations where gay men have recently been bashed on Oxford street."
Also in the procession, Chloe Hughes and Kate Whittle of Enmore, both aged 21, were dressed in a bridal dress and a suit.
"Marriage is an institution that is changing anyway from being religious to non-religious," Ms Hughes said.
"And it should also be accepted as being inclusive (of same sex couples) as well."
A shirtless and glitter-covered James Fletcher, 30, of Moore Park Gardens, said he considered himself an honorary 78er.
"I was born in 1978," Mr Fletcher said.
"I'm marching to state to the community that I want to be myself, I want to show the world who I am and that I'm proud of myself.
"I'm also marching for the people who marched 30 years ago – they got beaten up so that we could be ourselves."
Organisers have said this years' Mardi Gras was the largest yet staged, and the procession also included official contingents from the Australian Defence Force and New South Wales Police.
The procession also featured a group of Christian pastors and reverends, who said the church also owed the gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual (GLTB) community an "apology".
Viewed 01/03/08 at 22:19 (http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23304249-5005962,00.html)
Today is the 30th anniversary of the gay and lesbian Mardi Gras so lets see whats changed
30 years ago the Mardi Gras was a protest march against the laws criminalizing gays and lesbians and there was a mass arrest at the end
Today the march is about pride rather than protest and is seen as a massive tourist venture for Sydney. Its one of the worlds biggest gay pride marches.
Also for the first time today members of the Australian defence force were allowed to openly march in a reversal of 30 years of policy.
Lastly for the first time today a group of clergy were marching as an apology for how the Christan churches had treated the gay and lesbian community
When combined with the apology for the aboriginal people it seems that the change of government has brought in a whole new era for Australia
:bravo::yay::cheers:
Mardi Gras founders lead parade
THE "78ers", the original marchers who staged Sydney's inaugural Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 30 years ago, drew a rapturous cheer as they paused in central Oxford Street this evening.
Diane Minnis, who was among the group, said she never envisaged their original 1500-strong protest march could morph into the multicoloured spectacle and celebration that continues today.
"Absolutely not ... but we're very glad that it did because it makes being gay, lesbian, transsexual, etcetera, very visible and that's what we still need," she said this evening.
Ms Minnis, aged in her 50s and from Potts Point, said the now internationally renowned event had become an "important celebratory beacon" and "we're proud to have started it".
The 30th annual Mardi Gras parade drew 10,000 costumed and flesh-baring participants, spread across 4km and 150 themed floats including a gay "Popemobile".
Tens of thousands of people lined the central Sydney route to watch the parade, many waving rainbow-coloured flags in a symbol of diversity and inclusiveness.
The 78ers led the procession – 186 people including the original 1978 marchers and their partners – and Ms Minnis said it was an emotional experience.
Much had changed in the past 30 years, she said, but other things had not.
"It is still very difficult for young people in country towns to come out as lesbian or gay, and even in outer suburbs and regional centres," she said.
"We don't have the same rights as the majority of the population and there is always going to be discrimination and homophobia.
"The police are far less hostile but we've still got situations where gay men have recently been bashed on Oxford street."
Also in the procession, Chloe Hughes and Kate Whittle of Enmore, both aged 21, were dressed in a bridal dress and a suit.
"Marriage is an institution that is changing anyway from being religious to non-religious," Ms Hughes said.
"And it should also be accepted as being inclusive (of same sex couples) as well."
A shirtless and glitter-covered James Fletcher, 30, of Moore Park Gardens, said he considered himself an honorary 78er.
"I was born in 1978," Mr Fletcher said.
"I'm marching to state to the community that I want to be myself, I want to show the world who I am and that I'm proud of myself.
"I'm also marching for the people who marched 30 years ago – they got beaten up so that we could be ourselves."
Organisers have said this years' Mardi Gras was the largest yet staged, and the procession also included official contingents from the Australian Defence Force and New South Wales Police.
The procession also featured a group of Christian pastors and reverends, who said the church also owed the gay, lesbian, transsexual and bisexual (GLTB) community an "apology".
Viewed 01/03/08 at 22:19 (http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23304249-5005962,00.html)