Once a year we hold the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, Parade and Party. The festival, which runs through February, comprises hundreds of activities, ranging from gay cinema and gay art exhibitions, to 'big ticket' events like Mardi Gras Fair Day (around the last weekend in February) which attracts 60,000 to 70,000 people. The parade is the largest night parade anywhere in the world - in recent years the number of floats has swelled to over 150 (with up to 200 people per float), and spectators numbering in excess of 600,000. The event is broadcast around Australia and throughout Asia. Following the parade is the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Party. This starts at around 10.00pm and continues till around 9.00am the next day, with 22,000 party-goers celebrating gay pride. Shows are held every couple of hours, culminating in an international celebrity doing the final show. And all of that is not enough partying for you, there are the Recovery parties to go to. These are held at nearly all gay venues on or near Oxford St, with the favourite parties being at the Beresford/Flinders Hotels, and at the Midnight Shift nightclub. These continue all day and into the night.
There are three other big party events on the Sydney gay calendar: Pride on New Years Eve, Hand in Hand on the first weekend in June (Queen's Birthday holiday), and Sleaze Party. Sleaze Party, held in early October, celebrates the sensual/sexual side of gay pride. Gay people are encouraged to NOT invite straights, no matter how gay-friendly. This is for two reasons: 1) because this is a totally gay celebration, and 2) because it saves constant embarrassment to straight people having gays and lesbians coming on to them.
Sydney is not all just Oxford St nightclubs and pubs, and big dance parties. We also have a very extensive social network. Whatever your tastes are, there will be a social group for you. Try Boomerangs, Bootscoot (line dancers), Clover Women's Club, Dolphin Motor Club, Mature Age Men's Group, Sydney Bisexual Pagans, Southern Cross Outdoors Group, or Asians and Friends.
Want to go to a 'no-attitude' dance? Contact Polly's (they have dances every second month near the city).
| Date | Event | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| 31 Dec | Pride Party - Hordern Pavilion | Pride Centre |
| 1st Fri in Feb | Launch - Mardi Gras Festival | Mardi Gras |
| February | Mardi Gras Festival | Mardi Gras |
| 1st Sat in Mar | Mardi Gras Parade & Party | Mardi Gras |
| 1st Week in May | Leather Pride Week | Leather Pride Assoc |
| 1st Sat in June | Hand in Hand Party - Hordern Pavilion | Pride Centre |
| 1st Sat in June | Queen's Ball - Springwood | Three Sisters Social Group |
| Last Sat in June | Stonewall Ball | Pride Centre |
| 1st Sat in Oct | Sleaze Party - Hordern Pavilion | Mardi Gras |
| 1 Dec | World AIDS Day | ACON |
Drop me a note if you want information about gay venues, social groups, business or activities in Sydney or surrounding area.
Personals - Pinkboard
Classifieds - Pinkboard
Australian Gay and Lesbian Travel Association
OxfordNet - Oxford St and Environs link
Sydney Star Observer - Gay Newspaper
Actively GaySydney has a number of gay groups which are aimed at raising the political visibility or the cultural standing of the gay community.
Pride Community Centre - PO Box 7, Darlinghurst 2010 - phone (02) 9331 1333
Gay and Lesbian Immigration Task Force - PO Box 400, Darlinghurst 2010 - phone (02) 9380 5950
Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby - 94 Oxford St, Darlinghurst 2010 - phone (02) 9360 6687 or in Sydney FREECALL 1800 637 360
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras - PO Box 557, Newtown 2042 - phone (02) 9557 4332