Thanks to Rebbell Barnes and William Brougham for the photos taken at Reunion 41
Fair Day 2019: Meet the 78ers
Sydney turned on the sunshine for Fair Day 2019 (Sunday Feb 17) and the 78ers spent the day meeting and talking with friends - both new and old.
Mardi Gras 78er Kate Rowe addresses the 2019 Fair Day in Sydney's Victoria Park as part of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrations and commemorations.
Thanks to William Brougham for the video and some of the photos. Other photos by Steve Mclaren, Rebbell Barnes, Sandra Gobbo.
Photos & Video from Rainbow Immigration and Refugee forum
Good roll up and enthusiastic response to our wonderful speakers at yesterday’s forum Salon78: Rainbow Immigration and Refugees.
Thanks to speakers Betty Hounslow, Ken Davis, Mitchell Skipsey and Tina Dixson and chair Garry Wotherspoon. And thanks to attendees including those from the Asylum Seekers Centre, Amnesty International, Teachers for Refugees and the STARTTS Program.
The event was recorded and is available to view in full on YouTube by clicking here, or is included below. Thanks to William Brougham for the video.
The Gay and Lesbian Immigration Task Force, in which some 78ers were key movers in the 1980s, assisted overseas partners of LGBTIQ Australians to migrate here. Speakers include Betty Hounslow, Ken Davis, Mitchell Skipsey and Tina Dixson. Today, our community is outraged by the plight of LGBTIQ refugees and people seeking asylum.
(Video by William Brougham)
78ers Reunion 41
Reunion 41 will be held at the Colombian Hotel again on Wednesday 27th February, 5.00pm-8.00pm, with a special blessing by Mother Inferior. All 78ers and partners or guests are welcome to attend.
In 2018, First Mardi Gras held a special pre-Mardi Gras Parade 40th Anniversary event for 78ers and guests. This get together, Reunion 41, is on again this year. All 78ers and partners or guests are welcome to attend.
If you are joining us for Reunion 41, please RSVP to info@78ers.org.au for catering purposes.
If you require lift access, please email us with an approximate time of arrival.
The 78ers Parade T-shirt will be available to pick up at Reunion 41. Otherwise, it will be available at the 78ers Parade assembly area.
We are looking forward to seeing you soon!
Salon78: Rainbow Immigration and Refugees
The Gay and Lesbian Immigration Task Force, in which some 78ers were key movers in the 1980s, assists overseas partners of LGBTIQ Australians to migrate here.
Today, 78ers are outraged by the plight of LGBTIQ refugees and asylum seekers.
Come along on Sunday February 10, 2019 to Salon78 presents Rainbow Immigration and Refugees and hear about services and campaigns to support these vulnerable members of our community.
Free event.
Newsletter #5 - December 2018
Read the 5th edition of the First Mardi Gras Inc newsletter here
Video of Salon78 - Out and Loud, the Gay Liberation Quire
Salon 78 presents Out and Loud - The Gay Liberation Quire (1981 - 1987) at the Beresford in Sydney. The event took place on the 9th of December 2018 and was organised by First Mardi Gras Inc. This video presents an afternoon of performance and reminiscence with members of the original Gay Liberation Quire.
The Gay Liberation Quire (1981-87) reformed for one afternoon in December 2018 and performed a number of songs including 'Thank You Lord For Gay Liberation'. The event was hosted by First Mardi Gras Inc and took place at the Beresford in Sydney. #GayLiberationQuire #BeresfordSundays #FirstMardiGrasInc
Thanks to William Brougham for both these videos of the event.
New guide to resources and services for older LGBTQI communities
Thanks to Garry Wotherspoon for putting this collection together for us to add to the First Mardi Gras Website.
Event: 9 December 2018 - Salon78 presents out and loud by First Mardi Gras Inc.
Newsletter #4 - September 2018
Read the 4th edition of the First Mardi Gras Inc newsletter here
Troye Sivan Interviews Two Mardi Gras ’78ers About LGBTIQ Activism
Troye Sivan, a queer Australian pop singer, sat down with two 78ers - Karl & Diane - to chat about LGBTIQ activism then and now, and the importance of knowing our history.
Thanks to Junkee for the opportunity to sit down with Troye and have these discussions. Watch the interview below, or read the article here: https://junkee.com/troye-sivan-interview-mardi-gras/173059
Original video from https://www.facebook.com/musicdotjunkeedotcom/videos/296041567844835/
First Mardi Gras Inc 2017/2018 Annual Report
The first, First Mardi Gras Inc Annual Report (2017/2018) has been released, which includes the financial report, details on the events we ran throughout the year, our media engagements, sponsorships, special thanks and much more. Click here to read the 2017/2018 Annual Report.
Photo by Richard Roberts
JOY 94.9: Tony Crandell from NSW Police on an apology for the 78ers
Listen to NSW Police Assistant Commissioner and spokesperson on Sexuality & Gender Diversity, Tony Crandell as he discusses the ongoing discussions around a possible apology to the 78ers, for the violence at the first Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Click here to listen to the segment on the Joy Media website
JOY 94.9: Looking back on the first Mardi Gras with 78ers
During Fair Day 2018, 78ers Ken, Diane, Michael and Robin sat down with Dean Arcuri from Joy Media's The Informer and had a chat about 40 years of Mardi Gras. Reflecting on the first march, they talk about how far we have come today.
Listen to the segment on the Joy Media website (duration: 11:49 — 16.2MB)..
This segment of The Informer aired on JOY 94.9 on 21st June 2018.
At 10pm on the 24th of June 1978, the first Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras took place. Nothing like it is today, the first march was met with police violence that became a catalyst for change.
From arrest to acceptance Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras grew out of a terrible night in our history.
A planned street festival calling for an end to discrimination against homosexuals in employment and housing, an end to police harassment and the repeal of all homosexual laws, saw 2000 people step out from the Oxford Street Bars and clubs responding to the call, out of the bars and into the street.
Although the organisers had obtained permission, this was revoked, and the parade was broken up by The police.
It was actually the opposition that the march was met with when it first began, both from outsiders and within our own communities, that help to shape it into the iconic beacon of pride we see today as one of Australia’s most loved events.
JOY 94.9: Throw Back Thursday – 78ers, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras & Riot on ABC
It’s a literal Throwback Thursday, because this Sunday, on June 24this the 40th Anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Tonight, we are going to look back on 1978, 24th June at 10pm, as we speak to some of those who were part of the first protest, exploring how this has inspired generations of our Australian queer culture and activism, as we look to our past to inspire our future.
Listen on the Joy Media website (duration 27:40 — 38.0MB).
This episode of The Informer aired on 21st June 2018 and was hosted by Dylan Joel.
Newsletter #3 - June 2018
Read the third edition of the First Mardi Gras Inc newsletter here
Not My Cup of Tea: 2018 Mardi Gras Special (Podcast)
The 3 hour ‘Not My Cup of Tea’ drive show on JOY 94.9 in celebration of Mardi Gras 2018!
Our music guy Thomas Bleach joins us with your kick-ass Mardi Gras playlist, we play a round of 'Rant Ya Pants Off' talking all things that SUCK about events, a member of the 78'ers [Robert French] joins us to tell us about how Mardi Gras began, plus we're joined by icon Courtney Act and YouTube Queen Alright Hey - plus heeeeaaaps more!
Listen the episode here or in the panel below.
2ser 107.3: Mardi Gras history lessons with a 78er
On this episode of GLAM City, we speak to Robyn Kennedy, original 78er and Secretary and Treasurer of First Mardi Gras Inc.
We get a history lesson on the events of June 24 1978 in preparation for the 40th anniversary of the first Mardi Gras in Sydney.
We find out about upcoming events including Queer Art: 40 Years of Rebellion and Subversion. More information on events held by First Mardi Gras Inc, can be found on their website.
For the full Mardi Gras event program visit the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras website here.
If this story brought up any issues for you, you can contact Lifeline Australia at 13 11 14.
78ers Tribute Night at Red Raw
78ers showed off their killer dance moves at Red Raw on Saturday 10th February at the AB Hotel Glebe. There was plenty of action on the dance floor as patrons got into music from the 70s, 80s and 90s. A fundraiser raffle was also held with the lucky winners walking away with a range of prizes including artworks, challenging boxed quiz game Question Time and mint condition LPs from 80s girl bands Stray Dags and Sticky Beat.
Fundraiser Trivia Night
First Mardi Gras is pleased to report that the fundraiser Trivia Night held on Monday 5th February at the Bank Hotel, Newtown was a huge success. Over 100 people attended the event, with teams competing for the major prize, a Dirty Dozen brewery tour sponsored by Young Henrys. The team prize was won by the Young Ones but there were plenty of fabulous raffle prizes also won. Raffle prizes included a framed original linocut, tickets to the Brandenburg Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Australian Museum, Art Galley and Dendy Cinemas.
Funds raised will be applied to supporting low income 78ers travel to Sydney for the 40th Anniversary and contributing to staging of 78er Anniversary events.
There were many requests for a repeat trivia night so watch this space!
