Trent Zimmerman (North Sydney, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This weekend central Sydney will become a riot of colour and glitter as hundreds of thousands of people come together for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. This year there will be much to celebrate. It will be the first since marriage equality became law and, just as importantly, it will be the 40th anniversary of the Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras began on 24 June 1978, to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York. The march, though given a legal permit, was broken up by the police, who arrested 53 people. How our society has changed is reflected in the role of the New South Wales Police Force. Forty years ago they reacted to Mardi Gras with brutality; today the New South Wales Police proudly march in the parade in uniform. From these beginnings, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has become one of the largest gay pride events in the world and is New South Wales' second largest event. It has been estimated that it is worth more than $30 million to the New South Wales economy, as visitors flock to Sydney from around the world.

Forty years ago, the 78ers, as they became known, marched for tolerance and equality before the law, regardless of sexuality. The success of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a testament to their efforts and the determination of the LGBTI community and to all Australians who have demonstrated a sense of inclusion rather than exclusion. I congratulate everyone involved in the 2018 Mardi Gras and pay tribute to those who began it all, the 78ers. Happy Mardi Gras!