The first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras was held on this day, 24 June, in 1978 in commemoration of International Gay Solidarity Day, and the ninth anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. A parade of around 1500 people was ambushed by police, ending in 53 arrests.
43 years on, the event has now blossomed into the biggest queer festival in Australia. This year it was celebrated as part of WorldPride, and the original protesters - known as the 78ers - led 50,000 people in a Pride march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
[I mages: police arrest a young man at the 1978 march; 78ers marching at WorldPride with a rainbow, black and pink banner reading “78ers The First Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Australia; still out and proud; 1978-2023″]
Andere xuriak (the white ladies) and basa-andereak (the wild ladies), characters of the kabalkadak, traditional masquerades of Lapurdi and Nafarroa-Beherea. [x]