An estimated 300,000 spectators and 12,300 participants made last night's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade the biggest yet - a fitting celebration for the night's 40th anniversary.
Themed "40 years of evolution", the parade honoured the 78ers who fought police brutality at the first ever march in 1978.
Speaking of the event's enormity, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Terese Casu said: “The participation of every single person in this year’s special anniversary Parade helped produce a dazzling display of self-expression, reflection and celebration. In its fourth decade, this was our most iconic Parade yet and one that will go down in history." Read more via SBS
Thank you to the legendary 78’ers who changed the world 40 years ago when they put themselves out there and did the first Mardi Gras. True heroes. #78ers #MardiGras #MardiGras40 @sydneymardigras #SBS pic.twitter.com/0wFhEWqopo
— Brad (@brad_crewe) March 4, 2018
Shoutout to the #78ers. Shoutout also to the ’70s LGBT activists who weren’t at the first #MardiGras for whatever reason. Shoutout to the str8 allies who rocked up to the Darlo cop shop, raised bail money, stuck up for us. We all stand on the shoulders of giants. #MardiGras40
— Paul Kidd (@paulkidd) March 2, 2018