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Friday Flashback: When ABC first broadcast Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

Back in 1994 when ABC planned to broadcast Mardi Gras for the first time there were complaints to the broadcaster.

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Back in 1994 when ABC planned to broadcast the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade for the first time there were complaints to the broadcaster, including from 27 NSW politicians.

But the broadcast famously proceeded and rated through the roof as the rest of Australia wanted to see what all the fuss was about.

29 years later there are now 200+ floats and 12,500 marchers -including the first sitting Prime Minister to ever march.

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  3. So grateful for the national broadcaster. Ignoring those complaints was the right thing to do and persisting with portrayal of alternate perspectives that reflected diversity of the Australian public was the right way to go.

  4. Just want to say Thank You David and Jason…..for the memories. Brilliant. I couldn’t think of a better response or place to be. It’s the most enjoyable gathering of happy colourful people just being their true selves.

  5. … the first time the parade got television coverage was in 1990 by an outfit calling themselves Queer TV … I organised the facilities for them – just two cameras, one fixed and the other roaming up and down the parade – a far cry from the later extensive live coverage …

  6. I read an article the other day that at some point in the early 90’s, Cadbury withdrew its sponsorship for a particular episode of Hey, Hey It’s Saturday when it was announced that the show would include a live cross to the Mardi Gras parade which was taking place during the show…Crazy!

    1. Hey, 10 once banned a scene with Homer Simpson kissing his male asst voiced by Harvey (Fierstein). It’s a cartoon. Never stopped Bugs Bunny when he frocked up and smooched Elmer Fudd. Yes times have changed, as FF always reflects upon.

  7. The NSW politicians were Rev Fred Nile’s lackeys in the NSW Legislative Council. Nile has been infamous for praying for rain before the Mardis Gras each year and for his virulent opposition to social reform such as same-sex marriage and abortion decriminalisation.(SMH)
    It rarely rained, and in 2017 “Mardi Gras revellers will be spared torrential rain as Sydney’s wild weather eases just in time for the annual gay pride parade. Showers are forecast for the rest of Saturday but will get lighter and less frequent by evening before the parade kicks off from Flinders Street at 7.30pm.” (Daily Mail)
    Despite the usual prayers for rain, the rain actually stopped for the duration of the Mardi Gras.

    2. This is a legit concern. It is apparently due to Mardi Gras being a nonprofit but the inequity is still there, which really limits the options for many locals. And re: commercialization, I guess that it is a sign of progress that it’s so mainstream but it also has deviated from its political roots and is now a great way for companies/politicians to rainbow-wash.

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