TRANSCRIPT
Oxford Street came alive with colour, music, and pride last night as thousands of people gathered to honour LGBTIQ+ rights and commemorate the spirit of acceptance at the 46th edition of the Sydney Mardi Gras parade.
Organisers say 200 corporate and community floats and 12,000 marchers participated this year.
The energy was electric as floats adorned with sequins, rainbows, and messages of love snaked through the city streets.
From drag queens to community groups, everyone strutted their stuff, celebrating their identities and advocating for equality.
About 250,000 people stood alongside the parade route, which started at 7pm with the members of lesbian motorcycle club Dykes on Bikes opening the event.
Lara was among the spectators.
"I've come here tonight to have a fantastic time and to celebrate everyone, who they want to be and who they can be and just having an awesome time."
Ross was also there watching.
"It makes me proud, honestly. It makes me feel everybody's united, all one. It's such a happy place to be, seeing everyone united."
And Jane.
"For me I think this parade represents how unique everyone is, how inclusive the community can be and how amazing and colourful and fantastic life can be for everyone."
A minute of silence was held at the start of the parade in memory of TV presenter Jesse Baird and boyfriend Luke Davies who were killed on the 19th of February, allegedly by Baird's ex-partner, police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon.
Police found the bodies of the couple just days before the parade.
After initially being banned from this year's event, the New South Wales police force did take part in the parade but were not in uniform at the request of organisers.
Among them was New South Wales Police Commissioner Karen Webb.
"We're really pleased to be here tonight, really pleased to be here to support my officers and my staff and the crowd has been overwhelmingly supportive. Everyone's been very positive and welcoming and it's been a very pleasant surprise."
Cece Peniston, who sang the song "Finally" on the soundtrack of the film "Priscilla Queen of Desert," was present in the crowd.
Adam Lambert, the lead vocalist for the rock band Queen, was also there.
"Oh my gosh, the energy is amazing. I am really thrilled to be here. I was here for Mardi Gras I think 2011, it's been a while, a long time coming. I am performing tonight at the main party. I had a bunch of music remixed, it's all very club, it's very dance. I dropped a new song for tonight, just for Sydney. It's a brand new song."
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns marched in the parade, part of the Labor Party float.
He tells the ABC that legislation to ban queer conversion practices will be introduced in a matter of weeks.
"We should have that in the Parliament really soon. It's a priority of ours. It has bi-partisan support. It's really important for the queer community of New South Wales, and we're one of the last states to do it. You can expect it really soon, within the week, within a few weeks."
Floats representing the local Jewish and Arab LGBTIQ+ communities were also part of the parade.
In every float that passed, in every smile shared, every hug given and received, the essence of Mardi Gras shone brightly last night, a beacon of hope, a testament to resilience, and a celebration of love in its purest form.
