At what was at times a lively and robust affair that at one point almost descended into a stand-off, a community forum held last night to discuss the future of the Sydney Mardi Gras heard from a number of individuals and groups concerned about increasing corporatisation and sanitisation of the annual parade celebrating LGBTIQ rights. 

SYDNEY: A discussion night on Thursday will hear from a number of community groups concerned about the direction the Sydney Mardi Gras Festival is headed following a number of controversies that have arisen in recent months.

A 35-year-old man appeared in a Sydney court earlier this week to face charges relating to a fake terrorist threat made against this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras.

The Sydney Mardi Gras Festival has come to a close for yet another year following a weekend of parties and a colourful parade on Saturday night which, despite heavy rain and wild winds at times, drew an estimated 300,000 spectators, including singer Kylie Minogue, actor Magda Szubanski and NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell. 

Sydney police allege they have prevented $100,000 worth of cocaine and cannabis destined for tomorrow’s Sydney Mardi Gras Parade and related parties, after four men were arrested earlier this week in connection to commercial drug supply in the city’s inner suburbs.

Performance artist and activist Pope Alice will hold a “DeBaptism Ceremony” at Hyde Park tomorrow afternoon, ahead of this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras, after members of the Raëlian movement were banned by organisers from taking part in the Parade when they refused to alter their float banner which was deemed offensive.

The Love Boat will be setting sail for Saturday evening’s Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, with the City of Sydney revealing 50 council staff, friends and family will take part in its float this year complete with dancing sailors, disco lights and rainbow flags.

A forum in Sydney this Mardi Gras weekend will bring together gay community leaders and representatives of Christian churches and organisations, with those involved suggesting that it’s a clear sign that progress is being made in the volatile and hostile space where sexuality meets religion.

They are some of hottest attractions at each Sydney Mardi Gras, and the LifeSavers with Pride (LWP) are once again promising yet another choreographed extravaganza at this year’s Parade on Saturday night.

SYDNEY: Stalwart DJ Peter Rauhofer is all set to play the official Mardi Gras after event, Homesexual: Arabian Nights.

Kam Shafaati has gone from an amateur DJ releasing podcasts from his bedroom to the Mardi Gras party.

If there’s one message to remember during this weekend’s Sydney Mardi Gras parade and festivities it is ‘Play Safe, Stay Safe’ with the likes of ACON, City of Sydney and local police coming together to urge partygoers and revellers to look after themselves as well as their friends so that everyone can have a great time. 

A protest, a political demonstration, a gay pride celebration, a tourist attraction – 34 years on and the Mardi Gras Parade continues to evolve. Here, historian Garry Wotherspoon charts some of the events most memorable moments.

John Madden, brother of Christian Democrat Peter Madden, is joining the Christian social and support group Freedom2b(e), which will once again be taking part in the Sydney Mardi Gras parade.

Sparks will fly as partygoers from all over the world join locals on Sydney Harbour for the internationally-acclaimed waterside party, CoolChange: Harbour ’12, writes Andrew Georgiou.