Berkley Center

A large part of the appeal of going abroad is the opportunity for new and radically different experiences. For me, attending the gay and lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney fell under both of these categories. I had not heard of this event before coming to Australia but caught wind of it shortly after my arrival. All I knew was that it was a day devoted to gay and lesbian rights, and the main event was a parade. I also learned that it took place on a Saturday, which I found very bizarre given the name.

Leading up to the day, I was fairly skeptical because I have never been thrilled with parades. This is mostly due to the large crowds that they draw and the fact that I am not very tall and therefore have trouble getting a good view of the action. Despite my skepticism, I figured it would be a good experience and decided to see what it was all about. After only a week of being in Sydney, I headed downtown to Oxford Street with my new roommates, having absolutely no idea what to expect for the day ahead. The bus ride into the city offered a preview of the day to come. Everyone had on vibrant colors and minimal clothing. It was a beautiful, hot day in Sydney, and the crowded bus had everyone sticking to their seats. We were advised to get there early, as the main streets on the parade route close down long before the actual event, so we arrived several hours before the parade began.

When we stepped off the bus, the crowd seemed endless. Loud music flooded the streets and cross-dressers in bright outfits captured most of the bystanders' attention. It was clear that those in uniform were going to be in the parade, and costumes ranged from Egyptian pharaohs to superheroes. Each year the parade has a theme, and this year's was "History of the World." The outfits painted an evolutionary picture of humankind and seemed to have a life of their own. As we roamed the sidewalk we talked to some of the spectators to get an idea of the faces in the crowd. The majority of people told us that they had been coming to the parade for years, and many traveled to Sydney from all over the world. A couple draped with pink boas and holding rainbow flags had come to Australia all the way from Toronto, Canada. I quickly realized that this was no ordinary parade, and upon further research I discovered that it is the largest gay and lesbian parade in the world.

The parade itself began at 7:00 p.m. just as the sun started to set. We gave in and bought milk crates so we could have a good view of the action. The event lasted more than two hours, and each float and group of performers was unique and colorful. What touched me the most was not the bright lights or intricate costumes, but the facial expressions of those in the parade. Their beaming smiles and bright eyes said a thousand words. The sense of empowerment was contagious, and they looked so grateful to have a sea of supporters cheering them on. It was as if oppression and uncertainty took a temporary vacation, and celebration took over. Over 10,000 people participated in the parade with awareness and activism in mind.

Gay marriage is illegal throughout Australia and has been a controversial topic in recent history. In 2004 the Australian Labor Party passed the Marriage Amendment Bill, which states that solemnized unions in foreign countries must not be recognized as marriage in Australia. This adds to preexisting legislation that discriminates against the gay community and poses yet another roadblock for Aussies in favor of gay marriage. Events like Mardi Gras help to promote awareness of gay rights and issues, though the battle toward equality with the heterosexual population continues. Attending the parade really opened my eyes to issues of fairness and equal opportunity, and I can truthfully say it is one of the most amazing experiences that I have ever had.