We look at ten extraordinary and historic Sydney Mardi Gras moments dating back to 1988.

CAPTURING THE SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS PARADE HAS ALWAYS BEEN SUCH A HIGHLIGHT FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS, MANY OF WHOM (LIKE FUSE) HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO COVER THE EVENT FOR MANY YEARS.

Getty Images recently released this limited collection of photos dating back from 1988. Each image captures an extraordinary moment in Mardi Gras history and a note from the photographer. These photos are also special because we know just how challenging it can be to capture the moving parade in all its glory. Photographers face the scenario of having to capture fabulous moments whilst on the go, gear in hand and navigating large crowds.

10

EXTRAORDINARY MOMENTS IN MARDI GRAS HISTORY

“1988 was also the first year the First Nations float appeared in the parade. The float served as a celebration of the 1988 bicentennial as well as a protest against the country’s overall lack of recognition of Indigenous history. This shot of the First Nations float in the 2020 parade is a poignant reminder of Mardi Gras’ origins as a platform for activism.” Photo & words by Brendon Thorne “Dykes on Bikes has been the first float to kick off the parade since 1988, so I thought it fitting to start the collection off with this image. This image was taken in 2008 and pictures two participants embracing before riding their motorbike in the parade.” Photo & words by Kristian Dowling

“Here we have a very young Olympic gold medallist Matthew Mitcham posing with renowned Sydney entertainer and drag queen Joyce Maynge in the 2009 parade. Matthew was clearly a trailblazer throughout his sporting career. Not only did he break records at the 2008 Olympics, receiving the highest single-dive score in Olympic history, but he was also inspiring fellow athletes in the LGBTQIA+ community by being the first openly gay athlete to win an individual gold medal in the Olympic games.” Photo & words by Brendon Thorne “I absolutely love this image of Arohi Chapman-Barber from the Haka For Life float greeting an Indigenous performer at the 2019 parade. This photo captures such a beautiful moment of stillness between two people, acknowledging and celebrating one another’s cultures.” Photo & words by Lisa Maree Williams

“This photo of Gavin Haughain and partner Aiden Eric sharing a kiss in their full wedding attire in the middle of Oxford Street at the 2020 parade is a great encapsulation of how far the LGBTQIA+ community have come and what they’ve been fighting for.” Photo & words by Don Arnold “Here you can see two members of the Tiwi Islands transgender community marching in the 2017 parade. After a successful crowd funding campaign, a group of 30 transgender women from the remote Northern Territory Tiwi Islands travelled over 4,000 kilometres to Sydney to represent their community for the first time. This is an image that captures pure joy.” Photo & words by Zak Kaczmarek

“This was the first time Sam Smith attended a Sydney Mardi Gras, and to have them marching in the parade was such a huge moment for the community. The 2020 Mardi Gras was actually Sam’s last big live performance of the year before COVID lockdowns meant that their world tour was cancelled.” Photo & words by Brendon Thorne

“This is an iconic image of Kylie Minogue on a float of Kylie impersonators at the 2019 parade. As the undisputed queen of Mardi Gras, Kylie’s surprise appearance and performance on the night certainly did not disappoint!” Photo & words by James D. Morgan “Here’s Dua Lipa looking amazing on the Surf Life Savers float at the 2020 Mardi Gras parade, she has been such a huge ally for the LGBTQIA+ community, so having her march and perform was huge.” Photo & words by Brendon Thorne

“Here we have a Drag Queen laughing along with police officers on duty at the 2020 parade. The officers pictured are donned in glitter whilst doing crowd control in the marshalling section of the parade at Hyde park.” Photo & words by Lisa Maree Williams

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