In 48 hours Sydney will again be the focus of the world with the 25th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. We are celebrating 25 years of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual and queer culture known as Mardi Gras. First the parade will head up Oxford St with over 140 floats and thousands of marchers, dancers, walkers and floaters. There will be many many thousands of people watching this incredible celebration. There will be millions of sequins on Ron Muncasters costumes alone. Then comes the party. Up to 17,000 people will spend the night dancing up a storm, meeting new friends and having a great time. An incredible night of fun. Then comes the depression because the incredible has given way again to the mundane. There will be whinging, both on Pinkboard and in the press. "I hated the music." Please don't take it to heart. It is just the low after the high.
25 years of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transexual & queer culture
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2003 #1 Mardi Gras Website

Personally, I'm in the mood just to go out and have a damn good time at the MG Party, and let the bullshit that has gone on be temporarily suspended. Hope there are quite a few others sharing the feeling.
- Thu 27 Feb 2003 21:35:39

Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !! Only 2 days to go !!
countdownboy - back with avengence !! - Thu 27 Feb 2003 21:57:19

& thank god someone is finally listening about Alison!!
Sneaky Leaker - Sat 1 Mar 2003 09:02:47

Mitch's entry:
Being surrounded by our united community and witnessing us come together to enjoy and participate in the celebration of twenty five years of Mardi Gras.
Panther - Sat 1 Mar 2003 09:32:48

Sheena Easton is a Goddess !!!!

She rules my world.... debacle indeed.
Sheena Sheena Sheena Marcia Marcia Marcia !!! - Sat 1 Mar 2003 10:56:51

Theres now only 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!! 4 Hours to Go !!!!
countdownboy - Sat 1 Mar 2003 18:05:42

Nap time !!!
countdownboy - Sat 1 Mar 2003 19:07:29

Couldnt sleep - too excited :/
countdownboy - Sat 1 Mar 2003 20:14:37

only 75 minutes to go !!

only 75 minutes to go !!

only 75 minutes to go !!

only 75 minutes to go !!

only 75 minutes to go !!

only 75 minutes to go !!

only 75 minutes to go !!

only 75 minutes to go !!

only 75 minutes to go !!
countdownboy - Sat 1 Mar 2003 20:48:49

All dressed and ready !!
countdownboy - Sat 1 Mar 2003 21:46:45

There is NO TIME TO GO ***GATES OPEN*** WOO HOO !!!

There is NO TIME TO GO ***GATES OPEN*** WOO HOO !!!

There is NO TIME TO GO ***GATES OPEN*** WOO HOO !!!

There is NO TIME TO GO ***GATES OPEN*** WOO HOO !!!

There is NO TIME TO GO ***GATES OPEN*** WOO HOO !!!

There is NO TIME TO GO ***GATES OPEN*** WOO HOO !!!

There is NO TIME TO GO ***GATES OPEN*** WOO HOO !!!

Thats it from me people , hope you all have a great night and lets keep it positive on here when we review the night over the next few days .

i do love you all :)

.
countdownboy - off to the party !!! - Sat 1 Mar 2003 22:03:04

Would you prefer that there was no party at all? Because that was the alternative
what a whinger!!! - Sat 1 Mar 2003 22:46:38

Pulling our collective rep out of the shit

Doing it all in a few short months

Throwing a great party as well

We owe you one
GDH - Sun 2 Mar 2003 09:24:00

Excellent party, Luke Leal was brilliant, as were all the DJ's.

Mardi Gras is back and stronger than ever.
- Sun 2 Mar 2003 14:41:12

Enjoyed it much better than last year, however the open admittance thru ticketek seemed to 'lower the standards' - not so many got dressed up for the occasion.

As far as dance space is concerned, my guess is the centre DJ bit on the Hordern dance floor was conceieved when they thought not many would attend the party. Thought the Dome chill out space was an excellent idea.
Nonetheless it wasn't crowded anywhere, RHI included (last year RHI was so packed u couldn't move, and was like a sauna)
gh - Sun 2 Mar 2003 23:15:07

THERE ARE NOW 365 DAYS TO MARDI GRAS !!@!!@
THERE ARE NOW 365 DAYS TO MARDI GRAS !!@!!@

And God knows i need 365 days to recover :(
tired fragile countdown boy - Mon 3 Mar 2003 15:47:28

Who said denim was the dress code? Or was it that Sydney temperatures dropped 3degrees and everyone needed to rug up!

Congratulations to the whole party Team, the volunteers and NMG committee.
pip of pipjam - Mon 3 Mar 2003 19:53:17

Perhaps not as dissappointed as if there was no party at all. be grateful we had a party at all!
just another whhinger? - Mon 3 Mar 2003 21:44:51

After the 3 recent "Gay" financial disasters, we needed a win. Sydney took back what is rightfully hers - Our Mardi Gras - by the Community for the Community. Let's keep it that way, nurture her, develop her sensibly, and never, ever let her get possessed by Machiavellian people and concepts again.

Congratulations everyone - we bloody well did it, despite the despots.
Noisy Gypsy - Tue 4 Mar 2003 00:36:00

A comfortable place to sit and chill would have been good - we are not all 21-year-old speed freaks wanting to dance the night away. I don't spend so much money and effort to dress well to be expected to sit in gutters and dirty bleacher steps.

NMG need to recognise that although we may all be GLBT, we do like to congregate as distinct groups based on our interests and provide space where we can do this.

Maybe it got better later on but I was over being pushed and leered at by 2:30. Sorry I could not wait to hear Lloyde and Chip - they may have improved the music.
- Tue 4 Mar 2003 09:44:41

I'm abit confused about the reason to your discomfort (i'm not denying it however). was it that as a leather person you felt hassled by younger queens who aren't into the leather scene (or perhaps even being an older person)? or was it that straight punters hassled u?

just wanted to clarify the reasons so that people are clear on what happened and thus are better able to rectify it.
- Tue 4 Mar 2003 10:47:14

15 year veteran
Xane
- Tue 4 Mar 2003 11:16:00

I guess I found the general behaviour of some people pretty off. To have my ass grabbed whilst walking along irks me, and statements like "nice tits", "did you see that!", "check that one out" are just rude. I don't want to hear their thoughts so they should keep them to themselves. I don't have high expectations of party attendees any more however I was not afforded somewhere at MG that I could enjoy the party with my type.

The party made me remember that as a leather person I am on the fringe and extreme and sadly that general GLBT parties are not for me. So if one of the objectives of NMG was to foster inclusiveness I felt, for me, it failed.
- Tue 4 Mar 2003 11:39:32

Agree that a little better seating could be a benefit, (sitting on the ground with a jock strap under your kilt can be uncomfortable! But hey I wore that attire so had to put up with it!).

All in all I thought it was one of the better recent parties. Thought Mandy Rollins was fantastic as usual.

Thanks all see you next year.
Mitch - Tue 4 Mar 2003 12:40:36

it was a wicked party with wicked music all night though but the rhi sounded gluggy..
prince michael IV - Tue 4 Mar 2003 13:20:09

but to say "The party made me remember that as a leather person I am on the fringe and extreme and sadly that general GLBT parties are not for me. So if one of the objectives of NMG was to foster inclusiveness I felt, for me, it failed"

means u blame (?) NMG ? NO ?
how can they be blamed for a few random blow-outs? bad elements are at every party ? everyone checks everyone out..me thinks we all are on show to ourselves are we not?
also not trying to make light of your hasslement but i think you must of been in an unfortunate moment in time...
i hate hearing these things - its so wrong - i wish the world was more tolerant..

even so u must be hot stuff to get all those compliments...
big luv - Tue 4 Mar 2003 14:14:49

Xane
- Tue 4 Mar 2003 14:26:17

If only the comments were complementary, rather that irritating I would have welcomed them. The comments that got up my nose were not stating how hot I looked but more how freaky/odd/derogatory. I would most likely have felt better if they had not have happened so frequently when I first arrived, I just don't have the tolerance myself anymore to stay somewhere I feel uncomfortable. I am the first to check people out but you sould respect them - I have never gone up to someone in jeans and t-shirt and hasseled them about their inability to look stylish - I would have been a very busy girl on Saturday night with that philosopy!!

I don't blame NMG for the people's behaviour - just feeling a bit sad that I had a crap night and went home very early (also no trade!). I do blame them however for inadequate seating. For $100 I expect to sit when I want to not with my bare ass on dirt and gum. I would have also preferred if they killed the shows and paid the DJ's.
- Tue 4 Mar 2003 15:17:38

DJ's don't cost much anyway in relative terms to other party expenses.

If i wanted to hear amatures play then I should have had the option of not paying for a ticket!
- Tue 4 Mar 2003 16:29:12

Did the scenics people get payed? i thought that there were only 2 or 3 people in the whole org were payed.

I think DJs who aren't payed aren't necessarily "amateurs". if that was the case then the whole festival, parade and party was produced by "amateurs".
Djs are not gods - Tue 4 Mar 2003 21:04:05

While we want equality, we also need to a place to express our difference safely and freely. Mardi Gras should be this space. Next year, bring back some sort of ticketing restrictions. I think that MArdi Gras Party is in danger of losing its identity if it becomes too mainstream. As Stephen Kidman has been saying (I met someone who said he was him on the night - a hot bod on it!) Mardi Gras cannot become a novelty "freak show" event if it is to survive and thrive into the future. Which I certainly want it too, it has been so good to me...
interested and ambivalent - Tue 4 Mar 2003 22:10:09

I actually found this Mardi Gras more glbt than other years - that said - someone needs to tell all those straight girls to leave the sad feather boas at home!

We spent most of the night either in the bleachers in the Horden or dancing in front of the DJs in both the Horden and RHI - DJ Josh and Chip and Mike Kelly in partiular were fantasitc! I loved the faster music!! Too often I've spent past parties dragging the grrl from hall to hall looking for something to dance to - this year we actually had choice!

I must say I did really miss the Dome, mainly because that is where we can usually find all our friends when we need a break - because it was different this year - the leather people didn't seem to have a home... Inquistion should be fantastic this year - limited tickets should make it much more fun!
cuirqueer - Tue 4 Mar 2003 22:37:29

Congratulations goes out to NMG for putting on a successful festival that thousands of people enjoyed, and they also made a profit.
7th timer - Wed 5 Mar 2003 02:19:01

Sorry about the assumption you were a Leather Man, Bring on Inquistion honey, and you'd be more than welcome to come and dance with me.

Think the Leather Girls look Hot, and that's saying something from a Leather Poof.
Mitch - Wed 5 Mar 2003 07:43:01

Cheers
legoboy - Wed 5 Mar 2003 13:52:02

I noticed some of this the other night, big groups of people lining up at the box office, all off their trees (drunk, not "happy"). MG won't have time or resources to get across to those visitors what kind of behaviour is expected.

This probably means developing some kind of broader membership which allows people to show their support by being a member (even an asscoiate member) so they at least have to go to the effort of finding and signing a form if they want a ticket, but doesn't create the same exclusionist framework of the past.
Not that I want to start that debate again... - Wed 5 Mar 2003 15:03:33

That debate DOES need to get started again. Yes Mardi Gras this year was a fantastic party, festival and parade. but we have to now face reality about how we can make this continue.
- Wed 5 Mar 2003 17:27:30

My punt is that self-declared poofs, dykes, bi's, and trannies should automatically qualify for individual membership, on application, in round one of the new MG set-up - "Queer" is a state of mind, not a state of being. Anyone outside those categories could apply in round two, providing they're nominated by, say, two existing members. Non poof/dyke/bi/trannie membership shouldn't exceed, say, 15% of the total membership base.

Associate membership would still be available for people buying tix from overseas and members would still be able to buy up to, say, 3 party tix.
but I will anyway... - Wed 5 Mar 2003 18:11:29

I understand the need to sell lots of tickets as NMG needed the money, but if MG party looses its queer identity, it will loose its prime audience, me and fellow queers/glbtis. and then what do we have but a parody, a "freak show".

MG still managed to sell 17000 tickets last year with the old ticketing regime after 911. so dont lets throw the baby out with the bath water. MG must remain resolutly queer to remain alive.
into the future - Wed 5 Mar 2003 21:49:08

What's to stop non-GLBT people just ticking the GLBT box and thus getting free passage into MG?

Everyone should have to prove their committment to the GLBT community. it's ridiculous that a PFLAG mum would have hurdles to jump over and a gay party boy (who does nothing except complain about bad music) gets free passage and then sellls his tickets to his fag hag friends.
round and round we go! - Thu 6 Mar 2003 08:40:09

This is how SLPA is ensuring that Inquisition does not just beome another event on the party calendar and remains a distinct leather event.
- Thu 6 Mar 2003 11:58:53

Although ticketing needs to be addressed in my opinion, the GLBT were testing the water and we were a all a bit wary of all our new visitors.

It's good and fine that the GLBT community invite their straight friends to celebrate our sexualities and party BUT in future they must be invited by a non-heterosexual member. Non-heterosexuality must be a criteria within the new constitution.

We cannot end up being a tourist destination for anyone that wants a "new" or "alternative" experience - that is not what the party is about, rather about the GLBT community coming togther and being able to express our sexuality freely.

The party exceeded all my expectations and I did enjoy myself but I need and want a space for the GLBT community.

The visitors and tourists must be told it's one night a year that we want for ourselves.....if they truely are supportive they will accept this.
- Thu 6 Mar 2003 12:20:13

There's never been anything to stop people ticking MG membership boxes that purport to - but don't - represent the ticker's sexual identity. Ultimately there can't be a foolproof system and we probably wouldn't want to belong to the sort of organisation that wanted to relentlessly pursue that sort of purist goal.
- Thu 6 Mar 2003 12:23:52

I don't want straight tourist "there for a good time" when it is much much deeper for me and other gay people I know - I went to the party with 3 party virgins age between 24 and 32 - they were blown away by being in an near exclusionary event. Let make sure this experience continues.

As mentioned by the leather set above the party is a vitally important time for me to express myself through a look - or which is camp story telling costumes.

This year my boyfriend and I went as "Kings that were Queens"- an semiotic allegory of French & English Kings that were gay. My costumes are designed to speak with my kind and as a gift to them. They are not for stupid straight back packers et al that only understand costume as "Mickey and Mini" to consume.
- Thu 6 Mar 2003 12:29:58

It's great that people do volunteer their time but confining MG membership to those people, regardless of their sexuality, would see MG disappearing up it's own bum in one season.

The greatest voluntary act any GLBT person can offer MG is just to be part of it, by purchasing a party ticket, going to Fairday etc, etc. Any attempt to restrict this should be resisted. MG is about all of us.
- Thu 6 Mar 2003 15:38:12

That would definitely keep all the straight homophobes out and still retain the essential gay & lesbian nature of the party.

Worked for Gay games, didn't it?
- Thu 6 Mar 2003 15:50:06

Where was this "impromptu" sex space and did it last the distance or was it broken up ??
looking - Thu 6 Mar 2003 16:29:03

HI ALL,

Had a ball at the party, it was awesome. Congrats to the new SGLMG for getting it all together so quickly. Shame the parade didn’t make it to TV this year though.
Just a note on the ticketing front: I agree that there need to be limitations and some restrictions to ensure that the events remain GLBT events, however, I believe that it is necessary to have SOME straight people there. WHY? Because when many others in society discriminate against us, and judge us based on our sexuality, our straight friends do not. They stand by us and encourage us when others walk away, when others persecute us for being ourselves. I cherish my friends, those who are gay and those who are straight. We are not friends because of our sexuality, but because we get along, because we care for and support one another and because when we’re together we have a bloody good time! When people make anti-gay comments, they stand up for us, and years ago my partner and I signed for our straight friends to join SGLMG. They didn’t need to join to gain access to tickets for parties, there have always been enough people around who could readily get them tickets if they wanted them, but they wanted to join because it was something they could do to show support for our community, for the community my partner and I belong to. Our friends don’t ogle or stare when they come to the parties they simply have a great time with the rest of us, and we dance and chat and wander all night, you know, the usual stuff. My partner and I love that they come to the party with us –we want them to, and we embrace their non-judgemental attitude to our lives.
So yes, whilst we do need to ensure that our parties do not become drunken free for all’s filled with backpackers and homophobes, and all the negative behaviour that would come with that, we do need to remember that it is our straight friends who unlike so many others we have encountered through our lives, do not discriminate against us, or try to change us, and love and accept us just the way we are. So let’s not discriminate against those who do not discriminate against us.
Remember the UNITY in CommUNITY - Thu 6 Mar 2003 19:10:21

Perhaps I didn't go out with as much attitude as previous years and scare these people into silence.
- Fri 7 Mar 2003 09:18:47

Where was this "impromptu" sex space and did it last the distance or was it broken up ??
- Fri 7 Mar 2003 14:58:26

This isn't a strictly MG related post, but have noticed a number of leather folk posting on this board.

As an out-of-towner I usually buy tickets to Inquisition when they go on sale to the general public (or have done for the last 3 parties anyhow). I have tried contacting SLP about their ticket policy for regional persons, but have not had any response.

I am even keen to sign up as a SLP member, but being a regional leather girl, I don't know any members of SLP who could nominate me.

Any ideas?
ppb - Fri 7 Mar 2003 22:42:09

Azure was good and I had a lot of fun running around with my digital camera taking pics of cute boys. Spent the rest of the week catching up with friends and even managed a trip to Newcastle to see the family.

The Mardi Gras weekend was fun but long (I was up for 56 Hrs!!!!!) Did the audio and LX for Melbourne Marching Boys in the parade, once finished I headed back to the hotel, got dressed and got myself to the party. Party was OK, it was one of my first alone but I ran into most of my friends. Enjoyed the RHI mostly but also had some fun in City Live.

Did the Shift recovery which was fun, probably should have gone home for sum sleep but couldn't get around to leaving. Went from there to the Orgy and had the usual amount of fun, lots of very sexy guys which is one of the things i miss most about Sydney.

From there it was off to Queernation. Met the very cute Connie on the front of the podium and throughout the night had a lot of fun with him. He was a bad influence and together we got into all sorts of trouble. In keeping with tradition I wore my overalls but as usual they spent more time falling off than staying on *grin* Music and crowd were a lot of fun and I never felt it was too hot or packed.

Quick costume change and it was off to Arq. Now I like Arq but the recovery there was like walking into a K Hole! At first I thought there had been some kind of medical emergency and that was whay the music was so flat. We hung around there waiting for things to pick up but they never did so we went off had a late lunch and then FINALLY headed off to get some sleep.

All in all I think it was a good weekend and i'm glad I made the effort to go. Personally I wasn't really in the right headspace but that didn't prevent me from having a good time. I would like to thank all the people who worked so hard making sure it happened this year; it so easily mightn't have and Mardi Gras would have slid from our lives for ever. If you don't believe this is possible just look at how quickly Frisky dissapeared leaving only happy memories.

Lets hope that next year the Mardi Gras season goes to another strength and u can bet I'll be back there to stir up more trouble.
BND (the cute innocent Boy Next Door!!!) - Sat 8 Mar 2003 14:00:43

If it was only about sex then why are we trying to have our relationships recognised? Let's all just get married in hetero marriages and have our "sex" on the side.
Pfffft! - Sun 9 Mar 2003 14:47:43

I'm still unsure why she performed at the party
Mr Panties - Wed 12 Mar 2003 16:39:04

panther@pinkboard.com.au