Qtopia Sydney will host a landmark evening of remembrance and resilience on Tuesday 24 June to mark the 47th anniversary of the first Sydney Mardi Gras: a peaceful protest turned pivotal moment that sparked Australia’s modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement.
Presented in collaboration with the First Mardi Gras 78ers and as part of Pride Fest 2025, the evening will unveil a new permanent tribute to the original marchers. The event will take place at Qtopia Sydney’s main building in the former Darlinghurst Police Station, the very same site where many of the 78ers were detained in 1978.
As part of the evening’s program, Qtopia Sydney will unveil a newly commissioned commemorative photograph and the premiere of a short documentary capturing its creation and the enduring legacy of the 78ers, making up a new permanent exhibition at the centre. The documentary was created by emerging Sydney artist Ben Brewer, making him the youngest artist featured in Qtopia Sydney’s exhibitions.
“This is a strong punctuation mark in the journey of the brave 78ers. The photograph to be unveiled is one of defiance; it shows the 78ers standing on the rainbow flag surrounding the building where they were once imprisoned and humiliated. That same site now houses the world’s largest centre for Queer history and culture, amplifying Queer stories for all,” said Greg Fisher, CEO of Qtopia Sydney.
“The accompanying documentary captures their voices and stories nearly 50 years on. This exhibition is a living record of their fight and tells the world that the hard-won freedoms and progress in Queer equality are never to be unwound.”
The event comes at a time of global rise in anti-LGBTQIA+ rhetoric and erosion of rights. In the United States, gender-affirming care for trans youth has been banned in over 20 states, funding has been cut for LGBTQ youth suicide prevention and the Trump administration refuses to recognise International Pride Month. In the UK, recent court rulings have removed key legal recognitions for transgender people, while public discourse grows increasingly polarised.
While Australia is not without its own challenges, Qtopia Sydney stands as a cultural outlier by preserving history, educating through storytelling and creating inclusive spaces where Queer voices can be heard. This new exhibition stands as both a tribute to those who marched in 1978 and a declaration to defend what they fought for.
Former NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller, who in 2018 formally apologised to the 78ers on behalf of the NSW Police Force and is featured in the exhibitions, has been invited to speak on the night.
The evening will also feature a cocktail reception, generously supported by Brix Distillery, a community-minded local business continuing its support for Qtopia Sydney.
This event is presented as part of Pride Fest 2025, a month-long celebration of Queer creativity, culture and community hosted by Qtopia Sydney throughout June.
A Night with the 78ers: The 47th anniversary of the first Mardi Gras
Qtopia Sydney – The Loading Dock Theatre, 301 Forbes Street, Darlinghurst
Date: Tuesday 24 June 2025 – 6.00pm
Bookings: www.humantix.com
For more information about Qtopia Sydney, visit: www.qtopiasydney.com.au for details.
Image: The First Mardi Gras 78ers at Qtopia Sydney in 2024 – photo by James McKinney