Australia’s PM Anthony Albanese makes history as he marches in Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade
Australia‘s Prime Minister has made history by becoming the country’s first sitting leader to participate in Sydney’s world-famous Pride parade.
Anthony Albanese took part in Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade this weekend, which is one of the biggest events of its kind in the world.
More than 12,000 participants and 200 floats took part in the celebration, according to organisers, which was the first time that the Mardi Gras parade has been restored to its pre-pandemic scale. Tens of thousands more had packed out the streets to get a glimpse of the spectacle.
Mr Albanese described the event as a “celebration of modern Australia”, and said that it was “unfortunate” his predecessors had not marched in the parade during their time in office.
“People want to see that their government is inclusive and represents everyone no matter who they love, no matter what their identity, no matter where they live,” he said.
Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull attended the event in 2016 but did not march.
No serving British prime minister has ever marched in a Pride parade – though several other leaders have, including Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon and Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford.
Gordon Brown’s wife, Sarah Brown, did so on his behalf in 2009 and several PMs have since hosted Pride receptions within Downing Street, but none have marched in a Pride event.
The event was born out of a 1978 protest at the international Gay Celebrations which ended in police violence and arrests.
Mardi Gras’s organisers say the incident “created a defining night in not only Sydney’s GLBTQI community but Australia’s cultural heritage.” One of those arrested, 72-year-old Kate Rowe, marched in this year’s parade.
Thousands of people still flock to Sydney for the annual event.
Organisers said that the city’s bustling Oxford Street was entirely full this year, as crowds flocked to watch the parade. They used a CCTV monitoring system to manage the crowds, blocking roads off when they become too dense.
The celebrations were kicked off with a performance from Dannii and Kylie Minogue, who reunited on stage to delight the crowds.
