Teachers Federation, Gender Centre’s Applications To March In Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Rejected
Image: Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras 2022.
The NSW Teachers Federation’s and transgender service provider The Gender Centre’s applications to march in the 2023 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) Parade has been rejected.
In an open letter to members, NSW Teachers Federation General Secretary Maxine Sharkey revealed “with great disappointment” that their application to march in the 2023 SGLMG Parade was rejected, despite having marched in the last several parades.
Sharkey acknowledged the Union’s support for Mardi Gras in the past, “including providing spaces in our conference centre and encouraging members to volunteer as marshals or float participants in Mardi Gras parades.
“We celebrate the nomination we received in this year’s parade for best choreography of a community float and we also recognise our shared goal to champion LGBTIQA+ rights.”
Only 70 Per Cent Of Applications Accepted
Sharkey stressed, however, that even though the Union would not be marching in the Parade, “we will contribute to the Sydney WorldPride Amplify program.”
The Gender Centre health and communications manager Eloise Brook said “We provide over 90 per cent of trans-specific services to the community in NSW,”
According to a statement released by SGLMG, they received so many applications “far exceeding our total capacity.”
“To ensure the safety and security of all our participants and spectators, we must adhere to strict limits on numbers of both people and vehicles involved in the event.
“While we wish we could open our arms to all applications, demand for this year was so high that we only had capacity to accept 70% of the total applications we received.
“When the number of applications exceeds our capacity, an independent Mardi Gras’ Parade Curatorial Committee, made up of diverse representatives from our LGBTQIA+ communities, assess all entries using a clear set of selection criteria. Priority goes to LGBTQIA+ groups with strong creative ideas with the ability to produce and deliver them, as well as a consideration of their previous Parade history.”
This year’s Mardi Gras Parade is part of Sydney WorldPride 2023. According to SGLMG, there will be 218 groups represented and 12,500 marchers in total.
Sydney WorldPride 2023 takes place from February 17 to March 5, 2023 with over 500,000 people expected to take part in the 17-day celebration.
