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Peter van Onselen praises Labor's leadership team over Mardi Gras political rally

Why are the ADF, police, ABC and others officially participating in Mardi Gras which bills itself as a political rally

"politics is integral to the parade"

It's beyond time for some serious discussion about the political rally that was held in Sydney overnight and why the Australian Defence Force, NSW Police and the taxpayer funded ABC (which is bound by the law to maintain an apolitical, non-biased public face) are participants in it.

Here's a quote from the story below

This year’s Mardi Gras was themed "What Matters!", which organisers said was designed to evoke the event’s history of protest by drawing attention to issues ranging from climate change to the plight of LGBTQI people in the Asia-Pacific region.

The federal government's controversial religious freedom bill has also attracted concern among some people who fear it will lead to discrimination against LGBTQI people.

Jane Marsden, who marched as part of "A Cock in a Sock in a Shock Jock" float, which is taking aim at Alan Jones, said she believed the bill was an attempt to counter the rights won under marriage equality laws.

"It is designed for conservative right wing Christians with tools to exclude LGBTQI people from healthcare and education," she said. "That’s why it’s a worry."

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The fight for marriage equality might have been won, but there were no shortage of political messages as participants marched, danced and struck a pose along Oxford Street in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras on Saturday night.

The parade was halted just after 10pm when police intervened to remove at least one protester ahead of the Liberal Party's float.

Scores of police followed the Liberals' float from Taylor Square after protesters with placards depicting Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined the parade.

First Nations people carried signs demanding "Truth Telling" and "Always Was, Always Will Be", while 78ers who marched in the first parade called for an end to homophobia.

Other floats drew attention to the plight of the disabled and homeless LGBTQI people but always with humour, a choreographed dance routine and a sea of rainbow flags.

Members of the trans community received loud cheers as they marched along Oxford Street calling for recognition of their rights.

Speaking before the start of the parade, Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the Mardi Gras was a celebration of Sydney and its diversity.

But Mr Albanese, who was due to join the Rainbow Labor float with colleagues including Penny Wong and Kristina Keneally, said homophobia was still an issue, despite progress in recent years.

 
Pop star Dua Lipa takes part in the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney.

Pop star Dua Lipa takes part in the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney.CREDIT:AAP

He also said the rights of people to express their faith should not come at the expense of others.

Singers Sam Smith and Dua Lipa marched in the parade and were due to perform later at the after-party, joined by Kesha.

Lipa highlighted the plight of LGBTQI in countries that deny their rights.

"We have to talk about the topic," she said. "We have to show support."

An Indigenous smoking ceremony was held before participants in the Haka for Life float performed a haka.

Dressed in a red wig and orange gown, Indigenous elder Graham Simms offered a welcome to country before a troupe of performers broke into dance.The First Nations float drew attention to Indigenous rights.

The First Nations float drew attention to Indigenous rights.CREDIT:DEAN SEWELL

 

The police, paramedics, military and lifesavers were represented among entries from the Liberal, Labor and Greens parties. Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore and independent MP Alex Greenwich also took part.

But politics is integral to the parade, which began in 1978 as a protest against discrimination, as the muscle-bound marching boys and extravagantly-dressed drag queens.

This year’s Mardi Gras was themed "What Matters!", which organisers said was designed to evoke the event’s history of protest by drawing attention to issues ranging from climate change to the plight of LGBTQI people in the Asia-Pacific region.

The federal government's controversial religious freedom bill has also attracted concern among some people who fear it will lead to discrimination against LGBTQI people.

Jane Marsden, who marched as part of "A Cock in a Sock in a Shock Jock" float, which is taking aim at Alan Jones, said she believed the bill was an attempt to counter the rights won under marriage equality laws.

"It is designed for conservative right wing Christians with tools to exclude LGBTQI people from healthcare and education," she said. "That’s why it’s a worry."

 

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