Out of the Bars and Into the Streets: The Spirit of the 78ers Lives On at Sydney Mardi Gras

Karl Zlotkowski

A Historic Voice at the Pre-Parade Press Conference

Sydney’s globally celebrated Mardi Gras season reached an emotional and powerful moment this morning during the Pre-Parade Press Conference, where Karl Zlotkowski, representing the 78er's Advisory of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Committee and the wider 78er community, reflected on the legacy, meaning and enduring global significance of the parade.

Held ahead of the iconic annual march, the address reminded locals and international visitors alike that Mardi Gras is not simply a festival, but a living piece of cultural history that continues to shape Sydney’s identity as one of the world’s most inclusive travel destinations.

Opening his remarks, Zlotkowski acknowledged the cultural foundations of the city. “I acknowledge the traditional owners and custodians of this land and pay my respects to their elders, past, present and emerging. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.”

Honouring Nearly Five Decades of Pride and Progress

Zlotkowski paid tribute to generations of community leaders who have carried Mardi Gras forward since its groundbreaking beginnings in 1978.

“I also wish to acknowledge the elders and leaders of our Mardi Gras community, not just those from the first Mardi Gras in 1978 but all those who have carried Mardi Gras right through the last 48 years, and will carry us through to our 50th anniversary in 2028,” he said.

For travellers visiting Sydney during Mardi Gras, this sense of continuity is part of what makes the event extraordinary. Few festivals in the world combine celebration, activism and history so seamlessly, offering visitors a chance to witness a movement that continues to evolve while honouring its origins.

The Parade That Defines a Global Destination

78er's

While the Mardi Gras Festival includes weeks of performances, exhibitions and community gatherings across Sydney, one event remains at its heart.

“Each year we have a Mardi Gras festival that's crowded with fabulous events, all pitched to include all members of our community, but there is one event each year that all these events lead to, our Mardi Gras parade,” Zlotkowski explained.

He highlighted the parade’s unique global standing. “Our parade is the only Pride event in the world that has marched every year in an unbroken succession ever since it was born in 1978.”

Taking place after dark, the Sydney parade delivers a dazzling spectacle of light, music and performance that transforms Oxford Street into what many consider the most vibrant nighttime Pride celebration anywhere in the world.

How an Accidental Night Parade Changed History

One of the most fascinating insights shared during the press conference was how the parade’s nighttime tradition began almost unintentionally.

“That nighttime thing was almost an accident,” Zlotkowski said. In 1978, organisers planned a street party to encourage participation from people who might not have felt comfortable attending a daytime protest.

“In a way, it was a call to come out,” he explained.

The 1970s marked a turning point for LGBTQI+ visibility in Australia. “We didn’t exist before. We weren’t visible, until 1978 when thousands of us decided that the time had come to come out of the bars and into the streets.”

Today, that decision is widely recognised as a defining moment in Australian social history and one that transformed Sydney into a global symbol of equality and celebration.

Celebrating Visibility, Equality and Shared Joy

Mardi Gras

This year’s parade continues that legacy, with the 78ers commemorating decades of visibility while remembering early legislative efforts toward equality.

“Tomorrow, we will be remembering the first New South Wales attempt to pass anti discrimination legislation in 1976,” Zlotkowski said, noting that even unsuccessful attempts demonstrated growing recognition of the community.

“We were no longer hidden, we were proud and we were coming out. And that is what we will do again tomorrow.”

He described the deeper meaning behind Mardi Gras, emphasising its emotional and cultural importance. “We will feel the love, and we will feel it together. Mardi Gras is always about shared joy. It's about connection with each other. It's about self expression, and it's about belonging to a community that is out, proud and visible.”

Why Sydney Mardi Gras Is a Must-Experience Cultural Event

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has become one of Australia’s most significant tourism drawcards, attracting visitors from across the globe seeking celebration, inclusivity and authentic cultural experiences.

Beyond the spectacular floats and performances, travellers discover a city united by diversity and creativity. Restaurants, galleries, beaches and nightlife come alive with energy, making Mardi Gras an ideal time to experience Sydney at its most welcoming and vibrant.

As Zlotkowski concluded with a rallying cry that echoes across generations, the spirit of the festival remains clear: “Out of the bars and into the streets! Ecstatica! Joy is power!”

Event Information

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, Sydney NSW Australia

28 February 2026
Website: https://www.mardigras.org.au
City of Sydney Visitor Information
Website: https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

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