Relive the glitz and glamour of Mardi Gras 2024
Decorated in rainbows galore and glitter from head to toe, our students and staff celebrated the University's diverse LGBTQIA+ community in style at the Mardi Gras parade on Saturday 2 March. Embracing the theme 'the future is interwoven' with artwork by Jeremy William Smith, the energy was high as progress fans waved ecstatically and the crowd cheered along with us.
Students Riley (they/them), studying Honours in Neuroscience, and Maddie (he/him), studying a Master of Public Policy, were part of the parade this year. Riley rolled down Oxford Street in style with their wheelchair decked out with lights, and Maddie was a mover and groover in the dance team. They share what it meant for them to be part of the celebrations with the University of Sydney.
Riley, Neuroscience Honours student.
Love is in the air
In its colourful celebration of self-expression, pride, activism and progress, marching in the parade is an incredibly meaningful and empowering experience for participants.
For Riley, being a member of this year's parade was all about representation.
"I want to be the representation for others that I didn’t have growing up. Mardi Gras has given me the opportunity to be visible in a way I never thought possible," they said.
Riley recognised the feeling of endless love from other Mardi Gras marchers and the boistrous crowd lining Oxford Street is something magical that can't be replicated.
"Marching down Oxford Street and seeing all the people coming to support Mardi Gras, including my sibling in the crowd, was such a special moment because I felt supported in more ways than one.
"I am honoured to have participated in Mardi Gras with the University of Sydney. I had so much fun – I felt so accepted and it was one of the best experiences of my life! It was amazing to see the LGBTQIA+ community come together and celebrate who we are," Riley said.
I want to be the representation I didn’t have growing up – Mardi Gras has given me the opportunity to be visible in a way I never thought possible.
Maddie also felt inspired by the surrounding love and energy.
"The crowd was my favourite part of the parade – the energy was through the roof! Everyone was cheering for us, screaming "Go USYD!", singing along to Kylie Minogue's Padam! Padam! and The Eurythmics Sweet Dreams. The entire march felt like a dream – I felt amazing, powerful, and like I belonged," he said.
Maddie, Master of Public Policy student.
Beyond the glitter
Sydney's Mardi Gras has been advocating for equality, celebrating love, nurturing community and championing diversity for more than four decades.
"This experience showed me how diversity and differences are celebrated. It made me realise that it really is okay to be different and there is no such thing as normal," explained Maddie.
"It gave me an opportunity to question pre-existing ideas I had adopted from my youth, and allowed me to open up to fun times, friendships, and love," Maddie added.
Embracing the chaos was all part of the fun, and highlighted the supportive atmosphere Mardi Gras inspires.
"Disaster struck on the night! The lights on one of my wheels broke just before the parade. Thankfully, Andi came to the rescue and saved my outfit, with purple lights for my wheels – the crisis was averted!" said Riley.
A couple of slips ups in the dance routine also added to the experience for Maddie.
"I bonded with other participants on how we would make the same mistakes rehearsing, and now we're great friends!" he said.
Whether you're a student who identifies as LGBTQIA+ or you stand in solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community as an ally, join the Pride Network and make an impact towards creating a stronger and more inclusive environment at the University of Sydney.