Darren Hayes Heads Up Superstar Line-Up For The 2022 Mardi Gras Parade

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2021_Sydney_Mardi_Gras_PARADE__SCG — ***2021 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade***

A powerful protest and glittering celebration of diversity, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade is the centrepiece of the Festival season.

This iconic event brings together LGBTQIA+ people from all over to share their passion, champion equal rights and show their pride to the world.

In 2022, the Parade returns to the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 5 March, where 40,000 spectators will cheer on as 5,800 marchers across 161 parade entries take to the field in a dazzling display of colour, community and love.

The 2022 Mardi Gras theme is UNITED WE SHINE, signifying that LGBTQIA+ communities shine brighter together and by standing up against hate and inequality as a collective, the message of love and inclusion is heard louder.

This year’s Parade entries have incorporated the theme into their final concepts that cover a range of issues important to the LGBTQIA+ community including trans rights, climate change, celebrating diversity and self-expression.

Check out some highlight entries in this year’s Parade:

Dykes On Bikes

Dykes On Bikes is Australia’s longest-running female-identified motorcycle club and one of the countries oldest LGBTQIA+ community groups since 1987. With over 40+ motorcycles, this group is set to roar in this year’s Parade with their impact and presence. Dykes on Bikes have been a long-standing leader and supporter in the LGBTQIA+ community who are always open to welcoming a diverse range of people to participate in their events.

First Nations

ACON’s Aboriginal Project and BlaQ Aboriginal Corporation present the community-led First Nations entry, which will again lead the Parade’s opening. A favourite every year, the First Nations float is always a brilliant showcase of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander LGBTQIA+ community.

Peacock Mormons

Peacock Mormons objective “Dare to do Different” embraces diversity and moves the entire community’s hearts, regardless of religion, class, ethnicity and sexual identity, or gender. Celebrating a powerful message “LOVE SHINES” this year, the group will walk the Parade dressed in 36 Pink Angels/Drag queens alongside Brad and Scott Harker (Founders) in a spectacular Pink Wedding attire and a massive train.

Princesses Of Mardi Gras 2022

Having participated in the last eight Mardi Gras Parades, Nurul Darlene Illyana will walk the Parade with six participants dressed in sequins, rhinestones and ruffled ballgowns. Representing the six colours of the LGBTQIA+ flag, Princesses of Mardi Gras 2022 will represent the LGBTQIA+ community to the world, letting them know “We are here and we shall not be unheard of anymore”.

**2021 Sydney Mardi Gras PARADE, credit Anna Kucera**

The Itty Bitty Titty Committee

A crowd favourite throughout the years, this friend group is ready to unite Australians’ love for ABBA and a lesbian’s love for labia. Celebrating lesbian sexuality, the Itty Bitty Titty Committee will shine in stunning costumes and perform ‘SOS’ by ABBA while saluting the extraordinary emergency and frontline workers who have carried us through the pandemic.

Rainbow Rebellion

Rainbow Rebellion is the Australian arm of Extinction Rebellion’s LGBTQIA+ group. Dressed up in red as politicians (including Scott Morison) and fossil fuel companies, the Rainbow Rebellion aims to highlight and unite queers and activists across the climate movement to take action NOW to prevent the worst effects of climate change. This year’s float is CODE RED for Humanity, which stems from the 2021 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 5th report assessing the effects of climate change. The entry will feature queer activists from the environmental movement.

P-TYE (Parents for Transgender Youth Equity)

P-TYE is a protest organisation of a group of parents and carers of transgender youth who seek to achieve equity for transgender kids through policy and legislative changes. This year’s float stands out with the key message “HELP US” and “PROMOTE TRANS YOUTH EQUITY”. The Parade will see mostly middle-aged parents in full black with white print stating “SUPPORT TRANS YOUTH”.

Free Gay and Happy

Free Gay and Happy (fgnhappy) is a social group of friends and friends of friends. Starting out as three fluffy bunnies on a stormy Parade day, wholly mesmerised, fgnhappy now have over 1,100 members. The group promotes the importance of mental health and the celebration of self. Parade participants will be dressed in personalised superman costumes, with each dancer carrying a Daily Planet newspaper with the headline “Superman… I’m Coming Out!”

Check out the full list of Parade entrants at www.mardigras.org.au/events/parade

In his first live performance in Australia in a decade, singer-songwriter Darren Hayes returns home to head up a superstar line-up for the 2022 Mardi Gras Parade. Fresh off the back of the release of his new track: ‘Let’s Try Being In Love’, Haye’s Mardi Gras performance will mark his 20th year as a solo recording artist and the 25th anniversary of Savage Garden’s acclaimed debut, self-titled album.

The Parade will also feature a special performance from Australian music legend, Vanessa Amorosi, presented by Principal Partner, American Express. Other musical guests for the LGBTQIA+ community’s night of nights include Triple J Hottest 100 winners The Wiggles, ARIA-nominated singer-songwriter Mo’Ju, Timothy Springs and Prinnie Stevens, local DJ’s KILIMI, Charlie Villas and Division 4.