United we shine. Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Grads may have become a community event but the political edge remains

On 24 June 1978 Sydney’s gay and lesbian community demonstrated in opposition to the prejudice and discrimination they experienced. By the end of 2017 marriage equality was legal. This would have been unthinkable in 1978. How has this shift in Australian attitudes affected the annual Sydney Mardi Gras?

Has the politics of the first Mardi Gras been replaced by commercialisation of the event? Source: Source: Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images

Hendri Yulius is a writer, public intellectual and a researcher into issues about gender and sexuality.  Budi Sudarto is the Director of Ananda Training and Consultancy and is active in the LGBTIQA+community.  They explain to Sri Dean the current political challenges the LGBTIQA+ community still faces.

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What political challenges does the LGBTIQA+ currently face? Source: Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty