top of page
Search

As Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade Approaches

MEDIA RLEASE / AWARENESS STATEMENT

For Immediate Release

25 February 2026


As Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade Approaches
As Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade Approaches

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival is well underway, and across the city we have witnessed what this celebration does best - love, joy, colour, pride, and connection filling the streets.


As the Parade draws closer this Saturday, we know the energy will lift even further. Mardi Gras is a powerful reminder of visibility, resilience and belonging for LGBTQIA+SB communities and allies.


At the same time, we cannot ignore the broader global context. Around the world, and increasingly in parts of our own society, acceptance appears to be under pressure. Hate speech, hostility, and violence directed at minority communities have been rising.


Data continues to show that, after antisemitic incidents, LGBTQIA+SB people are among the most targeted groups for hate crimes and harassment. This is not something to sensationalise but it is something to take seriously.


Visibility brings celebration. It can also attract hostility.


VMHPAA Chair Shane Warren reflected:


“Mardi Gras is joy, but it was born from protest. Pride has always required courage. As we gather to celebrate love and diversity, we must also remain mindful of the safety and wellbeing of those who show up authentically. No one should face violence or intimidation for simply existing.”

We encourage everyone attending the Parade to:


  • Look out for one another

  • Stay aware of your surroundings

  • Respect event safety guidance

  • Report hostility or unsafe behaviour

  • Prioritise personal wellbeing


Joy and vigilance can coexist.


For LGBTQIA+SB people, particularly young people and those who have experienced discrimination, public hostility can reawaken trauma or anxiety. If you are feeling unsettled, overwhelmed, or unsafe please reach out. Support is available.


"Mardi Gras remains one of the most powerful symbols of inclusion and community in Australia. It is a celebration of progress, identity, love and freedom," Shane Warren concluded.

This Saturday, let us stand proudly, and safely, together.


Media Contact:

Shane Warren, Chair

Susan Sandy, Secretary

Philip Armstrong, CEO




Comments

bottom of page