VMHPAA Backs National Heritage Recognition of Mardi Gras Parade Route
- Shane Warren
- Aug 20
- 2 min read
MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 August 2025
The Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) has today lodged a submission to the Australian Heritage Council in strong support of recognising the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade Route on the National Heritage List.
VMHPAA Chair Shane Warren said the proposed listing is a vital acknowledgement of the Parade Route’s enduring cultural, social, and psychological significance.
“The Mardi Gras Parade Route is more than a street — it is a living symbol of resilience, protest, pride, and celebration,” Mr Warren said.“From a mental health perspective, visible and affirming spaces of belonging are powerful protective factors against stigma, discrimination, and distress. Heritage recognition safeguards this pathway of hope for generations to come.”
In its submission, VMHPAA highlighted that the Parade Route meets multiple National Heritage criteria:
Criterion (a): The site of the first Mardi Gras in 1978 — a turning point in Australian social history.
Criterion (g): A place of deep cultural meaning, joy, and resilience for LGBTIQA+ communities.
Criterion (h): Closely tied to the legacy of the 78ers, whose activism continues to inspire movements for equality.
VMHPAA has consistently stood alongside LGBTIQA+ communities, marking Pride Month, Pansexual Visibility Day, and other days of significance as part of its ongoing advocacy for equity, inclusion, and mental wellbeing.
“Heritage recognition of the Parade Route affirms that diversity is a strength, identity matters, and inclusion is central to Australia’s national story,” Mr Warren said.
About VMHPAAThe Vocational Mental Health Practitioners Association of Australia (VMHPAA) is the national peak body representing vocationally trained mental health practitioners working across community health, education, disability support, aged care, and private practice. VMHPAA advocates for equitable access to services, recognition of vocational pathways, and policies that strengthen community mental health and wellbeing.
Media Contact:
Shane Warren, Chair
VMHPAA
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