From Parade to Progress: Mardi Gras' Commitment to Year-Round Action for Equality

As the CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, I am thrilled to have been a part of Sydney WorldPride. Our 2023 Festival was a resounding success, seeing people from all over the globe converge in Sydney to celebrate and reconnect after years of isolation throughout the Pandemic and to protest and call for change.

As much fun as we had to come together as a community in a sea of (biodegradable) glitter – Sydney WorldPride was a party with a purpose, a purpose that continues on because, as the past week has shown us, there is still more work to be done and Mardi Gras is committed to year-round action.

One way we are doing this is through our off-season project Always On. Always On is our commitment to continue developing initiatives for LGBTQIA+ people, community groups, and partners to celebrate, share experiences, and receive support, no matter where they are – 365 days of the year. It sees Mardi Gras fostering new talent, supporting community organisations, hosting events, developing content, connecting, and campaigning for equality.

A major pillar of Always On is constant equality campaigning and working toward our vision of a society where everyone is respected and loved, and our partnership with Equality Australia is integral to that. On the eve of the 2021 Mardi Gras Parade, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Equality Australia announced a partnership to advance equality for LGBTIQIA+ people. The partnership sees us working together on joint campaigns and regular community engagements to maximise the ability of the LGBTIQIA+ people and our allies, to stand up and show commitment to LGBTIQIA+ equality, not only for two weeks of the year – but everywhere, every day.

Following Sydney WorldPride, Mardi Gras joined ACON and Equality Australia to launch our latest campaign Act For Equality. Act for Equality is a call to action to continue the momentum of the Festival, a chance for all Australians to join together in support of laws and reforms that will protect and support LGBTIQIA+ people.

Since the brave 78'ers took to the streets of Sydney for the first-ever Mardi Gras Parade, the NSW Parliament has taken steps to strengthen LGBTQIA+ rights and protections under the law, but there's still work to be done and NSW is falling behind as other states and territories move closer toward full equality for LGBTIQIA+ communities. Now is the time to join us and call for immediate action.

The Act for Equality campaign calls on all members of the NSW Parliament to commit to a series of changes including:

·??????The appointment of a Minister for Equality.

·??????Reforming anti-discrimination laws to remove carve-outs allowing religious schools and organisations to sack, expel or deny services to LGBTQIA+ people.

·??????Ending harmful conversion practices and ensuring support for survivors.

·??????Ending unnecessary and non-consensual medical procedures on people born with variations of sex characteristics.

·??????A comprehensive whole-of-government strategy on LGBTQIA+ inclusion, health and wellbeing.

·??????Additional funding for LGBTQIA+ community support services.

·??????Removing cruel and unnecessary barriers faced by trans and gender-diverse people.

Support for trans and gender-diverse people is of paramount importance right now. We’ve just seen hundreds of thousands of people gather to celebrate Sydney WorldPride – it’s time for each and every one of you to band together to call on politicians, organisations, your friends, families, and allies to join Mardi Gras,?Equality Australia, Trans Justice Project, Community Action for Rainbow Rights?and other community organisations in condemning anti-trans hate groups.

Mardi Gras is more than just an annual Parade and Festival. It's a movement that seeks to create a better, more inclusive world for everyone, and we're committed to doing that year-round.

Remember to check in with your trans and gender-diverse loved ones and take care of yourself as harsh and manipulative rhetoric toward our communities takes up air. Support is always available.

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Here are some trans and gender-diverse organisations that you can connect with:

·??????ACON’s TransHub

·??????Parents of Gender Diverse Children

·??????The Gender Centre

·??????Trans Justice Project

·??????Trans Pride Australia

·??????Transgender Victoria

· Zoe Belle Gender Collective