Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival launched today at the Sydney Cricket Ground where tomorrow’s sold out parade will go ahead as planned despite a week of disastrous weather across the state.
Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes will headline the event in what will be his first live performance in over a decade. He will be joined by Australian early 2000s pop-rock icon, Vanessa Amorosi and the Wiggles.
43,000 people are expected to fill the stands at tomorrow’s parade to witness 5,800 LGBTI community members march around the grounds in celebration of pride.
“We feel truly lucky to have the opportunity to come together and celebrate tomorrow especially given the invasion of Ukraine and the flooding across southeast Queensland and northern NSW,” said Mardi Gras CEO, Albert Kruger.
The parade will dedicate a minute of silence to commemorate the devastating scenes that have played out in Australia and Ukraine this week.
Husbands Brad and Scott Harker will be out representing the Peacock Mormons at this year’s Mardi Gras.
Adorned in Pink from head to toe – Pink chiffon capes, elaborate bejewelled crowns – the pair plan to once again share their pride by smacking lips in front of the cameras this weekend.
Brad Harker spent his early life working as a Mormon missionary and says he now lives his life as an LGBTQ missionary of sorts.
“I used to preach against it and I know what it’s like for people who do preach against it now,” said Brad Harker.
“I’ve been there and I know where there heart is”.
The Peacock Mormons have focused their efforts this year on protesting The Religious Discrimination Bill – still awaiting a decision after it was delayed by the Senate in early February.
CEO of the Sydney Cricket Ground Kerrie Mather announced that in honour of this year’s Mardi Gras the Ladies Pavillion grandstand will be permanently renamed the Pride Stand and all bathrooms will be made uni sex to support the comfort of all gender identities.
Gates open to the Sydney Cricket Ground for ticket holders at 4.45pm and televised coverage of the event will begin at 6.30pm on ABC.
