Sydney's Gay Mardi Gras

[sabang]

San Fransisco values are alive and well in Sydney, in fact the annual gay Mardi Gras- to be held March 2nd this year- is by far the worlds biggest. It is a major tourist attraction- people come from around the world and around the country to see it. Sydney is not at all shy in chasing the pink dollar.

A controversy has erupted this year however. Traditionally, the parade is headed by 'Dykes on Bikes', as it will be this year. A HOG chapter- strait- has also enetered this years Mardi gras however-

"The group's director, Glen Southwell, said the bikers wanted to support the gay and lesbian community and show them ``we wear leather too''.
"A lot of people dislike bikers, thinking we're rough, redneck gay bashers and what we're saying is that's wrong,'' he said.
"If gay people want to join our group, that's OK.''

Dykes on Bikes are not amused.



The straight debate

A GROUP of heterosexual Harley-Davidson enthusiasts has ridden into controversy as it tries to join this year's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
The Illawarra chapter of HOG, the Harley Owners Group that has more than 1 million members worldwide, has been given approval to enter 20 motorbikes, with up to 50 people, in the Sydney parade on March 2.
The group's director, Glen Southwell, said the bikers wanted to support the gay and lesbian community and show them ``we wear leather too''.
"A lot of people dislike bikers, thinking we're rough, redneck gay bashers and what we're saying is that's wrong,'' he said.
"If gay people want to join our group, that's OK.''
However, the group's presence has upset some members of Dykes on Bikes who plan to celebrate their 20th anniversary in Mardi Gras by revving up to 250 bikes from Moore Park to Hyde Park before turning around to lead the parade up Oxford Street.
Members of the lesbian motorcycle group are concerned that the inclusion of HOG riders will limit their numbers because parade organisers fear too many motorcyclists at the start of the parade will cause delays and they will be fined.
Dykes on Bikes president Annette Mesure said there was concern over safety and ``the logistics of the whole thing''.
"I'd worry about the Harleys at low speed [and] because Harley engines are loud,'' she said.
However, Ms Mesure said Dykes on Bikes did not want to exclude anyone from the parade because they were not gay.
She said she had invited HOG members to the Dykes' Bike and Tattoo Show on February 24 to learn about the Mardi Gras.
Dykes on Bikes had traditionally led the parade and a lot of people would be unhappy if that changed, she said.
Member Nic Fletcher, who will be in the Mardi Gras parade, said she was more than happy for the HOG riders to be part of the parade.
"It's nice to see the rest of the bikie community supporting us,'' she said.

The straight debate - National - smh.com.au

I think the Dykes who are complaining about it are doing so out of vanity (or gay pride?). They just don't want their thunder stolen.

[obsidian]

as an avid people watcher, i know of no better spot to practice than a gay parade. seattle has a doozy with a major dykes on bikes group. fun place to be. who cares who people choose to fuck anyway (of age and consensual, of course)?

[sabang]

Heres a nice gay tour package for this years Mardi Gras-

7 days / 6 nights in Sydney for the biggest party in the Pacific!
$1444 per person, double
February 26 - March 3, 2008

Celebrating the 30th annual Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras!

The month-long festivities climax the week of our visit. The grand finale is the magnificent night-time parade attracting nearly a million spectators, leading to an all-night dance party of 22,000 people. We’ll also enjoy a gay harbor cruise, Sydney by Divas tour, and have time to explore the city and meet gays and lesbians from around the world.
In Sydney, we'll stay at the Sydney Marriott, across from Hyde Park and on the corner with Oxford Street, Sydney's gay main drag. We'll be walking distance from the Harbour, Opera House, Botanical Gardens and of course the gay nightlife. Rooms at this very desirable hotel fill quickly, so reserve with us early!

After our celebration in Sydney, join us on the Great Barrier Reef, where we'll enjoy world-class diving at an upscale resort on the outer reef in the middle of a National Park. A perfect tropical recovery for divers and non-divers!

If you are interested booner -

www.underseax.com/gay-scuba-trips/aust_mardi.html

[kingwilly]

so is there a problem or isnt there? i'm confused??

[sabang]

Thers always Kylie impersonators.

[sabang]

so is there a problem or isnt there? i'm confused??

Well, some Dykes don't like it, some don't mind. The Hog's have been admitted anyway- Sydneys much too PC to exclude someone from a Gay parade on the grounds they are not Gay!

[PlanK]

Hog envy?

[Norton]

so is there a problem or isnt there? i'm confused??

It's in the Teak Door forum so need be no problem. Me thinks it may draw a few of the usual problem makers (not you KW) none the less.

Could also be a ruse of friendliness by the bikers to sneak in and beat the hell out of a few gays. Beware of bikers bearing gifts kind of thing.

[Texpat]

Why would a straight guy want to ride his motorcycle in a gay parade?
It's like the little girl who wanted to join the Boy Scouts.

I wonder about Australia sometimes.

[nedwalk]

fair go tex, theres more poofters in your bloody homeland! trust me its only the bloody closet queens that,ll be wanting to do that ride..gives the rest of us bastards a bad name!

[sabang]

The city with the largest gay population in the world is said to be New York. It's just that Sydney, in true Aussie style, makes a riot out of it.

[Texpat]

There's probably more six-legged albino conjoined twins in the US than Australia's population of ~20m. Yeah, probably 20 million poofs too. But I don't think that addresses why straight bikers would want to join a gay parade.

For me, I'd steer clear of that charade. My luck, my fat face would be on the front page of the Sydney papers next morn -- with a poovie in a pink tutu prancing behind me.

[sabang]

^ Aw c'mon Tex. Haven't you always wanted to dress like Kylie and ride a Harley?

[sabang]

Well it's on tonight in Sydney, and not only will some straight (?) Hog riders be in it, but for the first time ever, a contingent from the Australian defence forces will be in the gay Mardi Gras. From the Sydney Morning Herald:-

"Organisers of Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras say tonight's event will be the biggest ever, with 10,000 people taking part in the parade.
Crowds of up to 300,000 people are expected to line the central city route to watch the procession of themed floats, drag queens and many more costumed and flesh-revealing revellers.
Up to 80 military personnel and defence force employees are expected to march for the first time as the internationally renowned gay pride event marks its 30th anniversary.
The head of New Mardi Gras, Marcus Bourget, said the event had achieved a great deal since the first parade in 1978.
"Mardi Gras has had its fair share of ups and downs so to achieve the 30th anniversary is a huge milestone for us," Mr Bourget told ABC Radio.
But it retained much of its original political message, he said.
"Mardi Gras is all about the festival and it's all about telling Australia our stories, our lives, and showing Australia that our love is not a second-class love and shouldn't be treated as such," he said.
"So it's all about compassion, understanding and acceptance, so I think they're universal values.
City Rail and Sydney buses have added extra services to and from the city throughout the night.
Road closures and special event clearways will be in place in the Sydney CBD, Darlinghurst, Moore Park, Surry Hills, and Centennial Park from 11am to the early hours of Sunday morning."

Mardi Gras to outstrip all others - National - smh.com.au

Go Sydney. Prolly some piccies to follow tomorrow.
Are you gonna check it out William?

[sabang]

Heres some of this years more eclectic Floats-

Women Who Prefer Big Bloomers This is a support group for women who can't see the point of wearing itty-bitty undies. Their float shows them out and proud - each woman well ensconced in a pair of comfortable, large-sized knickers

Married Men Demanding The Right To Dress Themselves This float represents radical freedom fighters from the world of married men.

Gay Men Who Can't Dance It will be a busy weekend for the Gay Men Who Can't Dance, the only float being entered in both the Oxford Street parade and its suburban offshoot. "We feel doubly oppressed," says float organiser Adrian "Two-Left-Feet" Adriani. "If a straight man can't dance, everyone thinks it's cute but with a gay man there's no tolerance

People Who Find Gourmet Traveller Pretty Funny "It's hard to get a reliable source of comedy these days," says float organiser Katie Jones, "but really you can't go past Gourmet Traveller. Only last week they featured a bottle of balsamic vinegar which cost $69 and some olive oil for $93.50.

The Tracky-Dak Liberation League [thats track suit pants for you non-Aussies]

The Wollongong Council Workers And Developers Float Here is the real riposte to the Gay Mardi Gras - a mutual support group that celebrates flagrant and almost constant heterosexuality. As is traditional, the Wollongong float will feature a large and inappropriate beachside erection.

Mardi Gras for straights and squares - Richard Glover - Opinion - smh.com.au

[kingwilly]

For me, I'd steer clear of that charade. My luck, my fat face would be on the front page of the Sydney papers next morn in a pink tutu prancing around.

takes all sorts i guess!

[blackgang]

takes all sorts i guess!

I knew when I saw the fag header to this thread I would look to the right and see your name,, faggy asshole.

[kingwilly]

takes all sorts i guess!

I knew when I saw the fag header to this thread I would look to the right and see your name,, faggy asshole.

of course you did, but I see you name also, so does that mean you are also a faggy asshole??

[terry57]

Considering Pee Wee is Gay he could lead the fist " Teak Door Gay Parade " and Marmite could follow up his rear.

[William]

[William]

[William]

A$9 per chair and he sold/rented every one!

[William]

[William]

[dirtydog]

william, I know you mentioned a dry spell, but, erm, a flight to Bangkok for a week wouldn't be that expensive, maybe something to think about before you commit yourself to something like this