With expansion and development in mind, the Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras 2024 event features a few brand-new additions, as well as some events that premiered during the iconic Sydney WorldPride, in 2023, that attendees loved.
These new additions further the 2024 theme 'Our Future...', with an aim to reflect the evolving dynamics and voices in the queer community. Whether it's a Hot Trans Summer you're after, or you want to do the Bondi Beach Party all over again. . . Expect to see some exciting new and returning events this year.
Here, we speak to Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Gil Beckwith about the fresh additions to the Mardi Gras programme.
Mardi Gras CEO Gil Beckwith
There are a few new additions to the festival in 2024. Can you tell us about them?
This year, we're excited to introduce some fantastic new events alongside our returning favourites. Hot Trans Summer and Festival First Light are two brand-new additions, along with Bondi Beach Party and Ultra Violet which debuted during Sydney WorldPride, they were so wildly popular we decided to bring them into the Mardi Gras Festival for 2024. Hot Trans Summer is a celebration dedicated to the trans and gender-diverse communities, offering a vibrant safe space for expression and solidarity. Festival First Light is a city-wide Welcome To Country ceremony led by Elders, acknowledging the land and its traditional custodians.
Why was it important to add them this year?
Adding these events was crucial in reflecting the evolving dynamics and diverse voices within our LGBTQIA+ communities. Each event caters to different segments of our community, ensuring everyone feels welcome, seen, heard, and celebrated. Hot Trans Summer, for instance, provides a much-needed platform for the trans and gender-diverse community, Ultra Violet is designed for LGBTQIA+ women, while Festival First Light brings a significant cultural dimension to our celebration.
Festival First Light
What sorts of things are taken into consideration when crafting new events for the festival?
When crafting new events, we consider several factors including community feedback, representation, inclusivity, and the overall message of the festival. We aim to create a balanced programme that appeals to various interests and backgrounds while maintaining our core values of celebration, advocacy, and community spirit.
What has been the biggest challenge in getting these new additions over the line?
The biggest challenge in introducing new events is ensuring they align with our mission and resonate with our audience. Logistics, funding, and ensuring inclusivity are also significant factors.
Hot Trans Summer
How do the new additions/what they’re offering, tie in with this year’s theme?
The new additions tie beautifully with this year’s theme, 'Our Future...'. They embody our commitment to a future where all facets of our community are celebrated. These events represent forward-thinking, inclusivity, and a celebration of diversity, resonating with our vision for the future of the LGBTQIA+ community.
What’s your biggest hope for those attending the new events?
My biggest hope for those attending the new events is that they feel a sense of belonging and empowerment. I want them to see Mardi Gras as a space where their identities are celebrated, their voices heard, and their stories valued. These events are not just about entertainment; they’re about community, connection, and the shared journey towards a brighter, more inclusive future.
Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras is on from 16 February-3 March.
