Top 5 things to do at the 2021 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Catch a theatre production

Staged at the Seymour Centre, the Australian premiere of John Donnelly’s play, The Pass is sure to inspire and provoke. The Griffin Theatre Company, which normally perform in the SBW Stables Theatre is going to offer an alfresco experience in the nearby Green Park. Equipped with headsets, the audience will eavesdrop on the conversation between Warren and Eden, who are meeting in the park for the first time. And the New Theatre in Newtown are performing Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing – a coming-of-age drama set in London.

Head to the cinema

This year’s Queer Screen Festival kicks off with Dating Amber in Centennial Park; set in Ireland the film focuses on the friendship between a gay man and a lesbian. Also on offer is Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci in Supernova, I Carry Your With Me and The Obituary of Tunde Johnson that covers themes of racism and police brutality.

Delve into our history

As part of Sydney Living Museums After Dark series at the Hyde Park Barracks, the February presentation will focus on our queer history. Audiences will uncover the incredible story of bushranger Captain Moonlite, AKA Andrew George Scott, who was one our earliest LGBT+ figures. Host Adam Lindsay will be joined by an expert panel to discuss the life and death of this infamous and colourful character.

Exchange ideas and thoughts

The festival is hosting what are sure to be riveting panel discussions. Curated by Benjamin Law, Julie McCrossin AM, and Patrick Abboud, Queer Thinking is a series of three sessions covering topics on assisting vulnerable communities, how welcoming is the LGBT+ community and what does it mean to be gay and arab.

The Parade

To stay COVID-safe, this year’s parade is being held in the Sydney Cricket Ground, but that won’t diminish the glitz, glamour and the number of sequins used on each costume. The ticketed event will feature 5,000 participants from more than 100 community groups. The traditional floats will be re-imagined using pageantry, puppetry and props.