#sydney gay and lesbian mardi gras

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[qnewsau]

Peter Blazey remembered as namesake fellowship celebrates 20 years

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/peter-blazey-remembered-as-namesake-fellowship-celebrates-20-years/

Peter Blazey remembered as namesake fellowship celebrates 20 years

Family and friends of the late Peter Blazey have paid tribute to the legendary journalist and author as the fellowship named after him celebrates its 20th anniversary.

The $17,000 Peter Blazey Fellowship is awarded annually to writers in the non-fiction fields of biography, autobiography and life writing, to further a work in progress.

Born in Melbourne in 1939, Blazey made significant contributions to several esteemed publications including The Australian, The National Times and OutRage magazine, before his death of HIV/AIDS in 1997.

His career highlights included getting the scoop on the disappearance of former prime minister Harold Holt, as well as a tenure as press secretary to the environment minister in the Whitlam Government.

Blazey, whose literary oeuvre included a political biography of Henry Bolte, the longest-serving Premier of Victoria, was also co-editor (with partner Tim Herbert) of the acclaimed short fiction anthology Love Cries.

Other books included The Secret Diary of Jeffrey Kennett Aged 45 – a political parody of Jeff Kennett’s tenure as Victorian premier – and Blazey’s own memoir Screw Loose, which was published posthumously.

In a statement released this week, Blazey’s brother Clive Blazey AM paid tribute to his sibling while commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Peter Blazey Fellowship, which is administered by the University of Melbourne Faculty of Arts each year.

“Peter Blazey was a larger-than-life figure with a vital interest in politics of all kinds, a hectic energy and a creative curiosity that propelled his many friendships with other writers, artists and troublemakers,” Clive Blazey said.

“We’re pleased that the award has proven a stepping-stone to publishing success and to literary career-making, with a high number of writers going on to win critical acclaim for the books they created through this prize in Peter’s name.”

Peter Blazey has been remembered as a “larger-than-life figure”. Photo: Faculty of Arts – The University of Melbourne.

His comments come in the wake of Ju Bavyka being announced as the 2025 Peter Blazey Fellowship recipient, with the non-binary writer able to use the fellowship to finalise their forthcoming memoir Just a Hand’s Reach Away – Rukoi Podat.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the 2025 Peter Blazey Fellowship,” Bavyka said.

“More than just financial support, the fellowship is a profound acknowledgement of my work, which is important to me.”

Ellen van Neerven, the winner of the 2020 fellowship, encouraged other writers to pursue it.

“First of all, it allowed me to be connected to the special legacy of Peter Blazey and previous recipients. Importantly, it allowed me to dedicate time on my book Personal Score: Sport, Culture, Identity. I encourage any writers with a work-in-progress of non-fiction life-writing to apply,” she said.

Herbert, meanwhile, extolled his partner’s individuality and lauded his contribution to LGBTQI+ rights.

“Peter campaigned to ‘put a poofter in parliament’ and he worked for both the major political parties,” said Herbert, referring to Blazey’s run in a 1978 by-election and his work for both the ALP and Coalition.

“He could never fit into some ideologically sound and tidy space. I’m thrilled about the two decades of ground-breaking books and untidy ideas that this award in his name has nurtured.”

Peter Blazey (left) and partner Tim Herbert. Photo: supplied.

In addition to the Peter Blazey Fellowship, Blazey’s legacy lives on in other ways. In 1978, he played a significant role in the events that led to Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and was a pioneering member of Gay Liberation at a time when homosexuality was illegal. In his later years, he became a prominent HIV/AIDS activist, helping break down prejudice at the height of the pandemic, to the benefit of subsequent cohorts of people living with HIV.

Blazey aptly characterised himself as “belligerent old bugger” – a description that, while humorous, perhaps masks the heartfelt and profound insights he shared throughout his life and the contribution he has made to future generations.

[areawest]

being australian means you get to celebrate pride TWICE a year. slay. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

[saresmusings]

It takes balls to be a fairy, Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras 1983

By William Yang With kind permission of William Yang National Library of Australia

[asynca]

Anyone who’s interested in ‘Australia’s Stonewall Moment’ will be interested in reading about the ‘78ers: the first marchers in what they coined the ‘Mardi Gras’ which turned violent after police blocked them off and began to violently arrest people. 

Tonight, 45 years later, Sydney hosts World Pride 2023 and the 45th Mardi Gras parade and it’s a huge celebrated event. 

We’ve got a long way to go - but we also need to celebrate our tenacity, our survival and how far we’ve come. 

[meangan-thee-lesbian]

Can us lesbians actually stop just letting casual homophobia slip by in movements that are supporting us for this hot second. Because y'all did that with the queers and the transes and now y'all doing that with the rad fems, and my old homosexual ass is telling you these rad fems ain't gonna keep supporting lesbians once they don't need us no more. So when you see these hetties bad-mouthing the rainbow or gender non-conformity or whatever even small ass thing, can we, for once, take no fucking quarter?

[ennaih]

Sydney, Saturday 31 December 2022

[oh-dear-so-queer]

In the Christian circles we frequented, the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is regarded as a shameful endorsement of sinful debauchery – a 'giving in', to use the biblical language, to use the base instincts of our fallen human nature. Having had so little to do with gay and lesbian people, I confess I was apprehensive about what sort of folks we might meet, but as we ambled through Hyde Park, passers-by, spectacles of colour and jubilation, embraced us and included us in their merry-making.

"In/Out: A Scandalous Story of Falling Into Love and Out of the Church" - Steph Lentz

[gaycarboys]

MG Forms Partnership with 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

[a-gay-a-day]

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

The Sydney gay and lesbian Mardi gras began on June 24th, 1978, and was a pivotal moment in Australian queer history. Most of this history is found in the Australian queer archives, and I will link to the website in case anybody lives in a place they could feasibly go check those archives out. The original mardi gras was a planned festival calling for the end of anti-homosexual laws. Though permission was obtained, it was later revoked by the police and they arrested all of the gatherers.

However, the Mardi gras happened again in 1979, and no arrests were made this time. The parade has continued through the years and is celebrating it's 46th annual event this next year. One fun fact is that the parade always starts with the dykes on bikes.

One watcher noted that the parade consisted of "bikies, Darth Vaders, cycle sluts, gladiators, Red Indians, Supremes, Carmen Mirandas, wizards, fairies, ballroom dancers, nuns and altar boys." which I think is the highest compliment an event can be paid.

The Australian newspaper reported about the event:

At 10.30 pm Australia's first homosexual Mardi Gras was in full swing, with about 1000 people singing and dancing down Sydney's Oxford Street, caught up in the excitement of a jubilant crowd.

One hour later, the mardi gras had become a two-hour spree of screaming, bashing and arrests.

[qnewsau]

Sydney Mardi Gras releases 2025 Lineup

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/sydney-mardi-gras-releases-2025-lineup/

Sydney Mardi Gras releases 2025 Lineup

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has just announced their 2025 festival and events lineup. 

The 2025 theme, Free To Be, aims to celebrate diversity and inclusivity for the whole community.

Highlights of the lineup include Hot Trans Summer, a boat party for trans people and allies, Ultra Violet, a day-to-night party for LGBQTI women, Blak and Deadly, a First Nations gala concert as well as Trixie Mattel’s Solid Pink Disco.

“Each year, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras brings people from all corners of the globe together for a celebration of community, visibility and progress. The 2025 festival embodies this spirit, reflecting the resilience, creativity and unity of our LGBTQIA+ communities,” CEO Gil Beckwith said.

“We are thrilled to welcome everyone to this year’s festivities and look forward to continuing to champion the values of inclusivity and equality.”

Bringing together over 200 food, retail, community stalls, and the iconic Doggywood pageant, Fair Day is also set to return after this year’s shock cancellation.

“Fair Day is more than just an event; it’s a beloved gathering for our community and one of the most inclusive days on our calendar,” Beckwith said.

“After a year’s hiatus, it’s wonderful to see Fair Day return. It’s a day where LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, friends, and allies come together to celebrate, connect, and share in our diverse culture. It’s a truly special event because it brings together all ages and backgrounds in a welcoming, joyous space, reminding us that everyone has a place in our community. [Fair Day] ha always been a cornerstone of Mardi Gras, and I’m thrilled to see it back this year.”

For more information, head to and head to mardigras.org.au.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

[queerasfact]

The first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was held on this day, 24 June, in 1978 in commemoration of International Gay Solidarity Day, and the ninth anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. A parade of around 1500 people was ambushed by police, ending in 53 arrests.

43 years on, the event has now blossomed into the biggest queer festival in Australia. This year it was celebrated as part of WorldPride, and the original protesters - known as the 78ers - led 50,000 people in a Pride march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

[I mages: police arrest a young man at the 1978 march; 78ers marching at WorldPride with a rainbow, black and pink banner reading “78ers The First Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Australia; still out and proud; 1978-2023″]

[the-sappho-of-lesbos]

Source: New Day Dawning; The Early Years Of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

[kylieswift31]

Gay Mardi Gras

The 🌋 anon recently shared a quote in their latest message that was from “a streetcar named desire” by Tennessee Williams.

It turns out this is also referenced in the history of New Orlean’s largest LGBTQ+ event: the Southern Decadence parade. This is listed on Wikipedia as an event that is commonly referred to as the gay Mardi Gras.

The other city is Sydney, with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. As an Australian this is the only Mardi Gras parade that I’m familiar with and until recently I didn’t realise that this wasn’t a universal pride event.

It’s clear that Taylor knows her queer history and has done her research and has been leaving references in often unassuming ways. For example Sabrina Carpenter has joined Taylor on stage twice now to perform a duet and this has occurred on both Sydney night one and New Orleans night two.

This all sounds like something a gaylor made up! 🌈

[deathclassic]

A.U GUST

Week One: Seasons/Holidays August 2nd: MARDI GRAS

While only recognised as an actual 'holiday' in Louisianna, USA. I've chosen to draw them with iconic outfits from past Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events, which is a LGBTQIA+ rights protest as well as a celebration of sexuality.

Ian is dressed as the Melbourne Marching Girls (2001) and Mickey is dressed as the Sydney Gay Mardi Gras Party (1988)

@gallavichthings