Glitter, sequins and political statements were the focus of Sydney’s gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade along Oxford Street.

More than 150 floats took part in the parade along with 9,000 marchers who danced, sang and decorated the two-kilometer route. It was recently registered as a cultural heritage site to commemorate its 48th anniversary..

The parade began with a Welcome to Country and a smoking ceremony, but it was the first roar of Dykes on Bikes that signaled the start of this year’s Mardi Gras.

Among the sea of ​​leather and pride flags were keffiyehs and signs calling for freedom for Palestine.

Indigenous float Black Joy followed, carrying both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags made entirely of sequins.

The 78-year-old athletes in the first parade proudly marched holding banners that read, “Stop police attacks on gay women and black people.”

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore gave it her all, leading the float in a luxurious blue open-top car, along with independent councilor Alex Greenidge.

Marching with NSW Rainbow Labor in a sequined jacket was Sydney member Tanya Plibersek.

Behind several floats was Kelly Sloan, who walked with the NSW Liberal Party and became its leader for the first time.

Dayene, a Jewish group that initially withdrew from Mardi Gras due to safety concerns after the Bondi terrorist attack, marched with a heavy police escort.

Members proudly waved pride flags with a Star of David on them and held placards that read, “Proud to be Jewish.”

The group decided to proceed with the float despite being the target of “offensive” posts on social media by Pride in Protest, which resulted in Pride in Protest being banned from the parade at the 11th hour.

Security has been stepped up in the CBD and surrounding areas following the December 14 attack in Bondi, with police patrolling the parade with long-range rifles.

As Trans Pride Australia arrived at Taylor Square, fireworks were set off from the roof of Kinsellas gay center.

With social cohesion at the forefront of the national debate, the Order of Perpetual Indulgences used the march to make a political statement.

“We just say ‘no to the far right’ to everyone,” marchers dressed as nuns and wearing signs showing jailed neo-Nazi Thomas Sewell sucking on a baby’s pacifier told the ABC.

Spectator attendance was significantly lower than last year, despite increased police presence.

Local Lucy told the ABC this year’s parade was “amazing”, especially for the delegates.

“Everybody feels noticed when they come here, and that’s the most important thing about Mardi Gras,” she said.

The 24-year-old said this was her third Mardi Gras and she definitely noticed a “massive” police presence this year.

“It’s a little scary, but I understand why they’re here,” she said.

Celebrations begin with a wedding

This year’s theme, ‘Ecstatica’, promised a combination of ‘pride, passion and sparkling resistance’ by lighting up Oxford Street in Darlinghurst to Anzac Parade in Moor Park.

As people gathered in Hyde Park before the parade began, there were cheers, applause, and tears as Jessica Luna and Carolina Andrade married in an impromptu ceremony.

Celebrant Stephen Christie was also in attendance at the ceremony, and the bride and groom told ABC that their Mardi Gras wedding was completely last minute.

“We were just going to sign the papers and have a ceremony later,” Andrade said, wiping away tears.

Daniel Martinuzzo marched with Midas Creations along with his partner Scott Caudell and cousin Michael Mastro.

Martinuzzo said he is celebrating the cancellation of this year’s afterparty.

In the weeks leading up to parade night, organizers announced the cancellation of the popular Mardi Gras party, saying the $2 million party was the main cause of “significant financial losses” as major sponsors pulled out.

“When they come back, they’re going to come back even bigger and better,” he said.

Meanwhile, Aurora Arsenic, whose mother made her costumes for the parade, said Mardi Gras is about being able to “be yourself.”

“It means I’m surrounded by people in the community,” she said.

Anthony Bansemer said he was “very excited” about the parade.

“Phoenix is ​​my fiancée, he’s Aboriginal and I’m Thai, so I’m really honored,” he said.