Happy Mardi Gras!
Running from 16 February to 3 March, this year’s Mardi Gras festivities include an exciting program of over 100 community events, parties, theatre, comedy, music and more.
ACON will be out and about at the festival to help our communities keep healthy and stay safe.
ULTRA VIOLET | Saturday 17 February 2024
Ultra Violet is Mardi Gras’ big event especially designed by and for LGBTQ+ women. This year it’s happening at the National Art School from 3pm through to midnight. ACON’s Women Health Project will be there – visit our table for resources on LGBTQ+ women’s health and cancer prevention information.
Ultra Violet, Saturday 17 February at the National Art School, Darlinghurst. For more information and booking details, visit the Mardi Gras website here.
MARDI GRAS FAIR DAY | Cancelled
UPDATE 14 February 2024 | FAIR DAY CANCELLATION
The City of Sydney and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have decided to cancel this Sunday’s Fair Day due to the discovery of asbestos in mulch used recently in Victoria Park where the event is held. It is sad news for everyone in our communities, but the health and safety of all attendees is paramount. ACON looks forward to the rest of the Mardi Gras festival and the other opportunities to support and connect with our communities.
MARKS PARK SUNRISE SERVICE OF REFLECTION | Saturday 24 February 2024
As we celebrate the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival, let us gather at sunrise to commemorate those in our communities we’ve lost, celebrate the immense progress we’ve made toward a stronger society, and commit to ending bigotry and prejudice in all its forms.
This is a free event, presented by Bronte Surf Club, ACON, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and Waverley Council.
All are welcome to join and reflect with us at the Rise Memorial in Marks Park. Bring respect, hope, and love.
‘Rise’, the Bondi Memorial was officially opened in 2021. The memorial is founded on the Principles of Remembrance, Diversity, Inclusion, Justice and Acceptance. This space is dedicated to victims and survivors of homophobic and transphobic violence.
Marks Park Sunrise Service of Reflection
6:15am – 7am, Saturday 24 February 2024
Meet at the Rise Memorial, Marks Park, Tamarama
For more information visit bondimemorial.com.au.
BONDI BEACH PARTY | Saturday 24 February 2024
A hit at WorldPride last year, the Bondi Beach Party is back!
Visit the ACON stall to access health and safety information and resources. ACON’s SEXPERTS will also be roaming the event with safe sex packs.
Bondi Beach Party, Saturday 24 February, 2pm-10pm, Bondi Beach. For more info and to book tix, visit the Mardi Gras website here.
MARDI GRAS PARADE | Saturday 2 March 2024
In 2024, the Mardi Gras Parade returns to Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade, centred around the theme ‘Our Future’. The annual Parade is the biggest event of the festival, featuring 12,500 marchers and over 200 floats.
The First Nations Float, produced by ACON’s Aboriginal Project, will once again lead the Parade, this year honouring past powerful messages of First Nations people at Mardi Gras, while looking to the future of driving change for First Nations LGBTQ+, Brotherboys, Sistergirls and trans mob.
ACON’s float in the Mardi Gras Parade will showcase our latest campaign, LET’S TEST which encourages communities who are most affected by HIV to get a sexual health check-up. Look out for the eye-catching graphic design of the campaign and Parade float, which is inspired by the works of the late, great artist and queer icon Keith Haring, who passed from AIDS-related complications during the height of the AIDS epidemic.
Mardi Gras Parade, Saturday 2 March 7.30pm, Oxford and Flinders Sts, Darlinghurst and Moore Park. Plan your Parade experience with all the info on the Mardi Gras website.
MARDI GRAS PARTY | Saturday 2 March 2024
As Mardi Gras revellers dance the night away, ACON will be there to ensure party-goers keep well and stay safe. We’ll be on hand with information and resources at the ACON Info Desk, handily located in the entrance forecourt. ACON’s ‘SEXPERTS’ will be handing out safe sex packs throughout the night, and ACON Rovers will be patrolling the party to provide information, support and assistance.
Mardi Gras Party, Saturday 2 March, 10pm-late, Playbill Venues and Entertainment Quarter, Moore Park. For more info, visit the Mardi Gras website here.
My Sovereign Black Body | Exhibition 16 Feb – 13 Apr
Boomalli Aboriginal Arts Cooperative is proud to announce the 2024 Mardi Gras Exhibition is My Sovereign Black Body, curated by Wamba Wamba man, Steven Lindsay Ross.
My Sovereign Black Body is a RECLAMATION of our skin and bones and essence, of the beauty defined by our own eyes and by Country, kinship connection, song, culture and dance – it is a celebration of blackness by queer black artists.
Exhibiting artists include Jeffrey Samuels, Jasmine Sarin, Ella Noah Bancroft, Hayley Pigram, Peta-Joy Williams, Kyra Kum-Sing, Kirilly Dawn, Dennis Golding, Jessica Johnson, Nioka Lowe-Brennan, Nola Taylor, Graeme Walker, Nathan Frank, Peter Waples-Crowe, Luke Close and Nebbi Boii.
The exhibition launches on Friday 16th February 202 and will run until Saturday 13th April 2024, at Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative in Leichhardt.
Opening Night: Friday 16th February 6pm – 8pm will be a fabulous night of entertainment and meet the incredible Boomalli Artists. All Welcome. RSVP here.
From the Pitch to Progress – LGBTQIA+ Representation in Sport
As part of Mardi Gras’ QUEER FUTURES talks on Saturday 24 February 2024, hear from professional athletes on their perspectives towards culture, progress and practice at the highest level. This 90-minute panel presentation, developed and facilitated by Pride in Sport, will bring together current and former professional athletes from major sports to share what it means to be Queer in sports.
Presented in partnership with ACON’s Pride in Sport.
Women’s sport is finally getting the attention it deserves and the athletes are redefining their codes along the way – modelling inclusivity and excellence. In 2023, the Matildas in the FIFA Women’s World Cup captured hearts while catalysing change within the sporting world and beyond.
Their successes have sparked important conversations about how sport can be a powerful force of inclusion and a voice for positive change. Codes and teams are creating spaces where athletes can thrive regardless of gender or sexual orientation, fostering cultures of acceptance and community. Government policy, marketing and community groups must all play a part is this sporting revolution – but how?
Our panelists – Moya Dodd AO, past Matildas Vice-Captain, Asian Football Confederation Vice-President and FIFA Council member; Danielle Laidley, AFL player, coach and transgender advocate; Dr Karen Menzies, the First Indigenous Matilda; and Leigh Wardell, Original 1978 Matilda – discuss the power of collaboration and understanding between these groups in creating a more inclusive future, with Pride in Sport’s Beau Newell.
FROM THE PITCH TO PROGRESS: A Closer Look At LGBTQIA+ Representation in Sport
Part of Mardi Gras’ QUEER FUTURES weekend of talks
10am-11:30am on Saturday 24 February 2024
Cellblock Theatre, National Art School
MORE INFO HERE AND BOOK TICKETS HERE
QUEER SCREEN MARDI GRAS FILM FESTIVAL | Screenings 15-29 February
ACON is proud to partner with Queer Screen. This year there are 161 films and events spread across 77 unique programs, with cinema screenings in February and streaming on-demand in March.
We are delighted to co-present a series of sessions at this year’s festival:
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MUTT – presented in partnership with TransHub
Non-binary heartthrob Lio Mehiel won a Special Jury prize at Sundance for their performance as trans man Feña in this raw, authentic drama. BOOK HERE.
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ISLA’S WAY – presented in partnership with the LOVE Project
This quirky Aussie documentary follows octogenarian farmer Isla, whose straight-shooting, funny personality makes her a local hero. BOOK HERE.
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BLUE LIGHTS – presented in partnership with ACON
Step into the vibrant world of Blue Lights, an engaging and sophisticated dramedy making its World Premiere at the Mardi Gras Film Festival. BOOK HERE.
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THE HARVEST – presented in partnership with ACON’s Asian Gay, Bi+, Queer Men’s Project
An estranged son returns home to care for his Hmong-American family after his father falls ill, in this heartrending, bittersweet drama. BOOK HERE.
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SPLIT – presented in partnership with ACON Here for Women
A stuntwoman finds herself falling for the enigmatic lead actress she’s doubling for whilst shooting a film, in this provocative and sexy series. BOOK HERE.
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Surviving Voices: AIDS Memorial Quilt Panel Makers (as part of QueerDOC Shorts)
Among the QueerDoc Shorts is an outstanding documentary telling the stories behind North America’s AIDS Memorial Quilt. Don’t miss this Australian Premiere. BOOK HERE.
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