In her debut book, Queer Intentions, writer Amelia Abraham notes that these discussions reverberate into the global queer politic. Maybe the legislative gains and a creeping societal tolerance are creating an environment of political complacency. Perhaps it’s pointing to a loss of history in our community’s consciousness. Should police get to march, and is it a march or a parade? Who invited the bankers and why does L'oreal have a float?Īnd each year I wonder why we keep having the same conversations. The history of Mardi Gras and the broader value of Pride. A parade, an always surprising number of floats, awful EDM remixes of pop songs, a week’s rent in ticketed parties and angry online queers looking to mobilise around their own idea of proud authenticity.Įach year we debate all the same things. Aside from a mild shuffle in its entertainment schedule and a growing awareness of its environmental impacts, the formula remains relatively stable. Each year Mardi Gras shimmies onto the Sydney circuit.
