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2ser 107.3: Mardi Gras history lessons with a 78er

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On this episode of GLAM City, we speak to Robyn Kennedy, original 78er and Secretary and Treasurer of First Mardi Gras Inc.

We get a history lesson on the events of June 24 1978 in preparation for the 40th anniversary of the first Mardi Gras in Sydney.

We find out about upcoming events including Queer Art: 40 Years of Rebellion and Subversion. More information on events held by First Mardi Gras Inc, can be found on their website.

For the full Mardi Gras event program visit the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras website here.

If this story brought up any issues for you, you can contact Lifeline Australia at 13 11 14.

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78ers Tribute Night at Red Raw

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78ers showed off their killer dance moves at Red Raw on Saturday 10th February at the AB Hotel Glebe.  There was plenty of action on the dance floor as patrons got into music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. A fundraiser raffle was also held with the lucky winners walking away with a range of prizes including artworks, challenging boxed quiz game Question Time and mint condition LPs from 80s girl bands Stray Dags and Sticky Beat. 

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Fundraiser Trivia Night

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First Mardi Gras is pleased to report that the fundraiser Trivia Night held on Monday 5th February at the Bank Hotel, Newtown was a huge success. Over 100 people attended the event, with teams competing for the major prize, a Dirty Dozen brewery tour sponsored by Young Henrys.  The team prize was won by the Young Ones but there were plenty of fabulous raffle prizes also won. Raffle prizes included a framed original linocut, tickets to the Brandenburg Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Museum, Art Galley and Dendy Cinemas. 

Funds raised will be applied to supporting low income 78ers travel to Sydney for the 40th Anniversary and contributing to staging of 78er Anniversary events. 

There were many requests for a repeat trivia night so watch this space! 

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JOY 94.9: From protest to pride, SGLMG Fair Day with the 78ers, Harbour City Bears Inclusivity & JOY joins forces with SBS at Mardi Gras

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On this episode of The Informer we head to Sydney as they kick off the anniversary of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for 2018, celebrating their 40th anniversary.

What the 2-week festival is now to the NSW LGBTIQ communities and to Australia is something very different to what it was back in 1978, with the festival moving from protest, to pride.

This year Mardi Gras theme is 40 years of evolution and the informer was at Mardi Gras family friendly community day yesterday, Fair Day in Victoria Park, to speak to the communities about what Mardi Gras means to them.

We speak to some of the 78ers as we look back on how a celebration that turned into protest marked an era of change for celebrating pride in Australia.

We head to the Bear Tree and find out about NSW inclusive bear community, truly creating a diverse environment for everyone, and we will find out what JOY has in store for their special Mardi Gras broadcast as we celebrate 40 years over 4 days.

Listen to the segment on the Joy Media website (duration: 26:23 — 18.1MB).

This episode was hosted by Lara Dickinson on JOY 94.9 on 19th February 2018.

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Grant received for 40th Anniversary Art Exhibition

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First  Mardi Gras has received a $6,000 grant from the City of Sydney Council to stage 40 Years of Queer Art: Rebellion and Subversion. The Exhibition will run for two weeks during the 2018 40th Anniversary Mardi Gras Festival.  See 40th Anniversary on this website for more details. 

Kim Leutwyler

Kim Leutwyler

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78ers lead Marriage Equality rally

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Together with Community Action Against Homophobia, 78ers today led the largest GLBTIQ march in Australian history. 78ers were acknowledged by speakers at the rally held in Sydney Town Hall Square before leading the march to Circular Quay. The number of participants attending the rally and march was estimated at 30,000. Participants were still leaving Town Hall Square after the march leaders had arrived at the Quay.