The capture of Mardi Gras

Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has come a long way from its humble beginnings—so far, in fact, that it’s come full circle

In 1978, Mardi Gras began as a street protest against discrimination, mistreatment and unfair laws, during which NSW Police bashed, mistreated and detained multiple members of the queer community. Fifty-three were arrested.

These days, Mardi Gras is big business. Corporate floats abound. Corporate advertising, too. Rainbow capitalism and pinkwashing are in full swing. Mardi Gras has grown top heavy to the point that it now needs corporate money and government grants in order to run. The state government sees Mardi Gras primarily as a cash cow that attracts tourist spending to NSW—and Sydney in particular.

NSW Police are not only allowed to march in the parade but are actually on the Mardi Gras payroll as user-pays security to enforce the Mardi Gras Board’s whims. For Mardi Gras 2026, these included the last-minute exclusion of Pride in Protest‘s float entry, and the unnecessary, violent, unlawful treatment, detainment and removal of multiple queer people, particularly members of the Drag Kings float, from the parade marshalling area—right before they were scheduled to start marching.

Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

What is supposed to be an inclusive, joyful event for the LGBTQIA+SB community to celebrate our queer identities is now actively excluding queer people—using NSW Police, no less!

Shame, Mardi Gras Board, Shame!