Is Mardi Gras more party than politics?

[xalciene]

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, held on Saturday night, is an event that helps define the city. It brings an estimated $46 million into the economy each year. This year, there were a record 8,000 parade participants and an estimated 300,000 spectators.

Apart from the crowds and road closures (which make getting in the harbour city even harder

Comments

[volacious_gus]

For many years, the Mardi Gras was as big as NYE as a party night.

Now that acceptance is well on the rise, the novelty probably isn't there anymore. As you say, quite correctly, there's become less to fight for and those extra rights, many gays and lesbians aren't interested in.

I don't think it's dead yet, though. I think it's turned into a celebration of cultural diversity in Sydney, not so much that we're fighting for more but that we're celebrating what we have.

[xalciene]

yeah, i agree.. but still more 'party' than anything it seems (and also an earlier article, http://www.ssonet.com.au/display.asp?ArticleID=6302 -- the comments are rather entertaining in a way)