POP icon Cher brought the Sydney Mardi Gras to a standstill tonight.
The singer, a guest at the 40th anniversary of the event, hugged fans and even took a selfie with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, his wife Lucy and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian at the parade, which reached viewing capacity at Oxford St by about 8.20pm.
Cher made an appearance at the parade after 8pm, walking the route with dancers who were holding large purple letters showing her name.
and that is the real @cher supporting tonight’s @sydneymardigras#MardiGras40 - how’s everyone’s make up going? pic.twitter.com/WZR1LsBUME
— TAFE NSW (@tafensw) March 3, 2018
CHER IS HERE. CHER IS HERE! They've actually stopped the parade for her. Look at her with the @Qantas drag queens and Alan Joyce. @cher#MG40JOY#SydneyMardiGras#MardiGras40pic.twitter.com/aAbH4SlJ4l
— JOY 94.9 (@JOY949) March 3, 2018
Despite organisers suggesting Cher would not walk in the parade, the redhead showed up and could be seen hugging adoring fans as she continued along Oxford St.
Mr Turnbull described the parade as a “wonderful part of Sydney”.
“It’s 40 years old and 40 years ago Lucy and I had our first date so our love affair is a result of Mardi Gras,” Mr Turnbull told reporters at the event.
The prime minister, who didn’t attend last year’s parade because of the marriage equality controversy says the ‘yes’ vote was an affirmation of love and respect for same sex couples.
“It was like the nation gave same sex couples an enormous hug,” he said.
“It was a vote for equality, a vote for respect and what a huge vote it was.”
Just before 8.30pm, organisers for the event tweeted that parade viewing spots were full and urged people not to travel to Oxford St.
Maude Boate travelled from Broken Hill in far west NSW and isn’t new to the Mardi Gras scene.
“It’s about my 30th Mardi Gras,” she said.
“It’s a wonderful night and what a wonderful milestone it is for equality.”
Parade viewing is full, there is no access to see the Parade. Do not travel to Oxford Street. SBS live stream is available at https://t.co/fqrtUyQsFf
— Sydney Mardi Gras (@sydneymardigras) March 3, 2018
For Kobie Howe and Katrina Stouppos, it’s the first time they have been able to celebrate Mardi Gras as a legally married couple in Australia.
“This year we are marching with marriage equality, it’s an important year given what’s happened last year,” Ms Howe said.
“It’s a great time to celebrate everyone’s individuality, differences and diversity.”
The couple, who has been together for eight years, brought along their four- year-old daughter Mackie.
When asked what Mardi Gras meant to her, Mackie simply answered “marriage equality”.
MARDI GRAS WEDDING
FOR Stuart Henshall and James ‘Brecko’ Brechney, tonight’s Sydney’s Mardi Gras will be the icing on the cake.
Under a cloud of confetti made from shredded ‘No’ vote posters, the couple tonight tied the knot in front of hundreds of thousands of revellers — all on top of a three-tiered wedding cake float.
Their ceremony was the first wedding in the parade’s 40-year history, with tonight’s event expected to attract a record crowd of nearly half a million people.
“We understand there’s been decades of activism that has got us to this point and we take our hats off to everyone who went before us,” Mr Brechney said.
This year’s festivities will arguably be a more momentous occasion than ever before as the gay and lesbian community will also celebrate the first ever parade in a time where Australians can legally marry their same-sex partners.
This year’s float parade kicked off at 7pm and will once again track along the iconic route from the city end of Oxford St, along Flinders St, and will culminate at Moore Park.
Crowds line the streets for the Mardi Gras parade. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett1 of 27
Dykes on Bikes in Sydney. Picture: Richard Milnes/MEGA2 of 27
Dykes on Bikes in Sydney. Picture: Richard Milnes/MEGA3 of 27
The Dykes on Bikes float. Picture: Richard Milnes/MEGA4 of 27
Dykes on Bikes Sydney. Picture: Richard Milnes/MEGA5 of 27
Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull attends the 40th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Picture: Hollie Adams/The Australian6 of 27
Billie Grieve and Jasmine Grieve at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images7 of 27
Ms Parade goers prepare for the 2018 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images8 of 27
Drag Queen Ms J ahead of the 2018 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras. Picture: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images9 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney, Saturday, March 3, 2018. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING10 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett11 of 27
Crowds await the start of the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett12 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Erik Anderson13 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett14 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Erik Anderson15 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett16 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett17 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett18 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett19 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Erik Anderson20 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Picture: AAP Image/Erik Anderson21 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. Picture: AAP Image/Erik Anderson22 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett23 of 27
Participants preparing to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett24 of 27
NSW Police check vehicles for security as participants prepare to take part in the 40th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett25 of 27
NSW Police out in force for the Mardi Gras. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett26 of 27
NSW Police check vehicles for security ahead of the parade. Picture: AAP Image/Joel Carrett27 of 27
More than 200 floats ranging from the weird to the wonderful will involve not only the city’s LGBTQI organisations but will also see the NSW Police, defence forces, banking institutions, football and rugby clubs, universities, radio stations and even a group of Netflix stars show their support for gay rights.
A spokesman for the event urged people to head down Flinders St toward the end of the route for more elbow room.
“I can tell you that every participant in the parade has gone all out for the 40th year so you will see floats you’ve never seen before to the scale you’ve never seen before,” he said.
“This year is really just about a celebrating and recognising the last 40 years of Mardi Gras.
“Australia has come a very long way and the world still has a very long way to go in terms of LGBTQI but tonight is a chance to reflect on the last 40 years.”
The parade will run until 11pm.
More than 1000 police officers will keep a close eye on revellers as part of a huge security operation that will also involve strategically parked vehicles, an intelligence crew, mounted police, the riot squad and sniffer dogs.
Assistant Commissioner Tony Crandell urged partygoers to look out for one another and plan their night ahead.
A number of roads will be closed, while thousands will be using public transport before and after the parade.
“Police have been working with parade organisers and the LGBTQI community to ensure a safe and fun night for all those taking part and supporting the event,” he said today.
Some of the highlights of the night will include a giant champagne bottle to be popped at Taylor Square and a same-sex wedding ceremony during the parade.
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