2015’s First Australians Mardi Gras Parade entry is shaping up to be especially DEADLY, as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of diverse sexualities and genders celebrate our community’s diversity, resilience and strength by leading the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on Saturday 7 March.
The entry was organised via community meetings over the last few months, resulting in the following statement:
“We acknowledge the 50 year anniversary of the 1965 Freedom Ride. The Freedom Ride bus drew public attention to the discrimination and disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal people in health, education and housing. Today we draw attention to the fact that these issues have not yet been overcome.”
Featuring an open-top, double deck bus, as a tribute to the Freedom Ride and to carry Our Mob in style, the First Australians entry are responding to the official 2015 Mardi Gras theme, PASSION with “Freedom is our passion”.
The First Australians entry will also feature:
- Elders of our sexuality and gender diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, who have worked tirelessly for decades at a community level to tackle discrimination and disadvantage;
- Destiny Haz Arrived – one of the 2015 ‘Faces of Mardi Gras’ and a Bundjalung diva who never stops highlighting our fabulousness, especially as a health promotion ambassador;
- Mr Mick Gooda – Australian Human Rights Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice;
- Condoman and Lubelicious, Australia’s longest standing safe-sex ambassador superheroes; and
- A strong contingent of deadly young dancers from the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA).
The First Australians are proud to acknowledge the support of ACON’s Aboriginal Project. ACON is NSW’s leading LGBTI health organisation and this year celebrates 30 years of achievement and commitment to ending HIV transmission, supporting people living with HIV, and promoting LGBTI health and wellbeing.
Registrations to march with the First Australians are now closed for this year. For information on other events supported by Aboriginal Project ACON, including next year’s parade, Like the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AboriginalProjectACON.
Image: Michela Ledwidge / Aboriginal Project ACON