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Mardi Gras History: Part 1

Rita Bratovich

It’s hard to imagine that the rich cultural festival and fabulous, world-famous parade began with a haphazardly organised street march that ended rather badly. 

Mardi Gras LGTBQI History

On 24 June 1978, a chilly mid-winter’s day in Sydney, a crowd of up to 500 people – eventually swelling to around 2000 by 9.30pm – gathered in Darlinghurst’s Taylor Square to campaign for gay rights and commemorate the infamous Stonewall Riots.


Those riots took place on 28 June, 1969 when New York Police raided the Stonewall Inn, well-known to be a popular venue for the local queer community. Police harassment at such venues were frequent, but on this occasion, the normally compliant patrons of Stonewall Inn fought back.  


LGBTQI History Mardi Gras 1981 Gay Parade

The Stonewall rebellion is considered the inflection point for the gay liberation movement in the USA and eventually around the world.  The commemorative Sydney rally in 1978, part of a worldwide ‘Gay Solidarity Day’, consisted of a protest march in the morning, a public demonstration in the afternoon, and then a festive parade from Taylor Square along Oxford Street to Hyde Park in the evening, to hear speakers and network.


However, as the crowds attending the evening fiesta approached the south-eastern corner of Hyde Park, NSW Police officers suddenly halted the march and impounded the lead truck carrying the public address system. After demanding the participants disperse, the police then encountered unexpected resistance from the gathered revellers – most of whom had endured years of intimidation by Sydney officers.


Many of the reportedly ‘jubilant’ crowd diverted towards Kings Cross, dancing and singing in the main streets around Darlinghurst, until, enraged, police officers removed their identification numbers and waded into the throng, bashing and arresting. Fifty three people were taken into custody, including bystanders who joined the rebellion, incensed by police treatment of the marchers. Sydney Morning Herald printed the names and occupations of those arrested, causing some to lose their jobs.


Mardi Gras History LGBTQI Rights

The subsequent trials (the first for which police refused to allow the public and media into the open courtroom), brought considerable embarrassment to the NSW Government and NSW Premier Neville Wran, a lawyer who prided himself as a supporter of civil liberties.

Further protests and arrests ensued, but ultimately, in May 1979, the Summary Offences Act – the hated law that effectively criminalised gay men with jail terms of up to 14 years (and allowed undercover police to entice homosexuals to flirt with them before they were arrested and charged with lewd conduct) - was repealed.


In 1984, Premier Wran bypassed his own party and introduced a private members bill to decriminalise being gay – NSW Parliament’s first conscience vote – and on 15 May 1984 The 'Crimes (Amendment) Act 1984' would decriminalise homosexual acts between consenting males over the age of 18.


Mardi Gras History LGBTQI

The second Mardi Gras march, in 1979, was attended by 3000 participants, albeit watched by stern police. In 1980 a post-parade party was added to the festivities and was held in Paddington Town Hall. The parade route now began in Bathurst Street and proceeded along George St and Oxford St, ending at Paddington Town Hall. 


In 1981, Mardi Gras moved its date from mid-winter to the end of summer, which better suited the outdoor event — and parade costumes. Incredibly, by 1982, Mardi Gras had grown into a centrepiece event for the city. It had also achieved some of its original goals. That year, the NSW Government amended the Anti-Discrimination Act making it illegal to discriminate against homosexuals. 


By the time it celebrated its 10th anniversary, Mardi Gras had become a mini cultural festival featuring an impressive arts program and culminating in a parade that rivalled the famous New Year’s Eve fireworks for colour, vibe, and attendance. 

The future looked bright. But was it…?


Read Part 2 in the next issue of Pride of Sydney.

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