Local Identities Reflect On Sydney Mardi Gras Ahead Of Annual Parade

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 29: Karam Singh, a financial planner of Indian descent and resident of Australia for ten years, poses on the rooftop of his Darlinghurst residence, on February 29, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. Karam states " being gay is my identity and living in Sydney has given me the chance to be myself and live out my identity.Mardi Gras is an important celebration as it gives all of us a chance to be real, be fearless,open and proud.It is a chance to express yourself and realise the real side of you.Being surrounded by people who love you for who you are and in an electrifying happy atmosphere is one of the most magical experiences in the world.I feel alive, real and proud.The Sydney Mardi Gras parade started following a protest march over 1969 Stonewall Riots of New York on 24 June, 1978. The Sydney march ended with the arrests of 53 people, many who were held at Darlinghurst Police Station. Following criticisms over what many believed to be excessive and unwarranted actions by police and authorities, the NSW parliament repealed the Summary Offences Act, under which most of the arrests to be made. The following year the first official Sydney Mardi Gras parade was held on 30 June, 1979 involving 3000 people. The Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade is now an annual event promoting awareness of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues and themes. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)