Mother Nature to star at Gay Mardi Gras Parade*

March 03, 2007 02:35am
Article from: AAP

AUSTRALIA - MOTHER Nature will star in today's 29th annual Sydney Gay
and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.

She'll be on the lead float, in two guises – a decrepit hag and a
beautiful princess. Her incarnations will sits atop a world divided in
two hemispheres – one a dying, sad world, the other a colourful world
full of hope.

Mother Nature's workforce will meanwhile cavort below the split globe.

Parade creative director Graeme Browning said the statement made by the
lead float about our world reflected the gay and lesbian experience in
Australia.

"Gay and lesbian people still suffer from homophobia and prejudice," he
said.

"The first hemisphere reflects how destructive this lack of equality is
– not only to our community, but to society as a whole.

"The second reflects where we want to be – in a beautiful world of love,
tolerance and respect. Something that Mardi Gras is integral in achieving."

More than 7500 parade participants – a 25 per cent increase on last year
– will join 120 entries for the parade that begins at 7.45pm (AEDT).

It starts in central Sydney at the corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool
streets, before making its way along the city's iconic gay stretch of
Oxford and Flinders streets.

Road closures are progressive and begin from 5pm (AEDT).

Spectators are urged to arrive early, and travel by public transport.

Empty milk crates, a popular thing spectators take to stand on for a
better view, are discouraged, as are glass bottles.

Spectators have also been urged to watch out for a homage to Kylie
Minogue featuring more than 200 dancers; a combined entry from Priscilla
The Musical and Aids Council of NSW with 400 participants; the official
New Mardi Gras Marching Group, featuring a six-storey Trojan Horse; the
Asian marching boys HMAS Love and award-winning parade mainstays Vic
Presence, a Victorian marching group with their largest-ever contingent.

This year's parade is also rich, with first-time entries from major
organisations including ANZ Bank and Surf Lifesaving Australia