Alternative Media Group

Mardi Gras rebrands at Bondi

Author:

Jason Marshall

Posted:

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

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Last month, New Mardi Gras unveiled its new identity at Bondi beach. Members of the queer community have spoken out against the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras’ decision to drop the words ‘gay and lesbian’ from the name of its annual pride parade.

Jo Harrison was at the first Mardi Gras in 1978. “I am completely shocked an event held in the name of gay solidarity, included us all chanting ‘stop police attacks on gays, women and blacks’ prior to so many of us being brutally bashed and arrested that night, seems to have been effectively ‘de-gayed’ by removing these words from the parade title,” she said.

“I had thought that Mardi Gras…was actually becoming more inclusive, not less, and if anything it should be the GLBTI / Queer Mardi Gras Parade in this day and age, surely.”

The organisation, New Mardi Gras, changed its name to Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) and the name of the annual festival to Sydney Mardi Gras.

An SGLMG spokesperson said: “We think both changes make it clear that Mardi Gras springs from the LGBTQI community, with a message of hope for the world – infinite love for all.”

“Sydney Mardi Gras is a shorter name that reflects how most of us talk about the event and what people call it around the world. It is also inclusive to better reflect the increasing diversity of what we stand for: our city’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer communities, as well as the many who do not like to label themselves.”

“The Sydney Mardi Gras has, and will always be, a gay and lesbian event. Anyone who attends our Parade in March, or any event in the festival will have no doubt it is queer as a three dollar bill.”

Managing Director of Twenty10, an organisation specialising in assisting queer youth, Rebecca Reynolds, was critical of comments made by Greg Logan, the head of the advertising agency spearheading the new changes. She refuted his suggestion that new generations of school kids do not suffer prejudice.

“To make blanket statements about generational change fails to take into account the vast diversity of our communities, of ethnicity and culture, of social inequalities and family dynamics; all of which are key to young people establishing healthy identities that are a good fit for them,” she said.

“Homophobia is prevalent in many, many places – the school community is just one of them. To say that it is not there runs the risk of young people feeling more isolated and alone.”

However, the name change does have its supporters.

A regular Mardi Gras DJ, Dan Murphy said he supported the new direction. “It really feels like this season, this year is the time to set a clear and fresh goal and send a message to the entire community.”

Steven Perkins, a 39 year old hair stylist from Newtown, has volunteered for Mardi Gras events for the last 16 years and will volunteer next year.

“My main thing is we want to be classed as equal. If you want equality then there should be no labels, no black, white, skinny, fat, gay, lesbian.” he said.

“If you cut us all open, we all bleed red.”

By Jason Marshall

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