LOUIS BURKE | Culture | Contact
Although Sydneys Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras promises to be big again this year, celebrations will be wrapping up at 9:30 pm again now that everyone is married.
Sydney councillor, Christine Foster, said that while this will be a wild celebration of equality for the history books, she hopes to be in bed, with a cup of tea, watching The Bill by 10 pm.
“All the members of the queer community have worked so hard every year to achieve the equality we now have. To reward ourselves I think we need to have a bit of a party before turning in for a quiet one with the missus.”
Dragqueen Pepper Pussy (41) said that while she loves the spectacle of Mardi Gras, this year will be testing for her now she has settled down with now husband and fellow dragqueen Salty Sally (45).
“We’re happy it’s ending early this year because while we are K-E-E-N keen for the party, by the end of the night, we’re not the only thing that’s a massive drag.”
“To be honest I’m going to have a tactical nap beforehand so I can last the night.”
78er Alice Marsh (68) has attended every Mardis Gras since 1978 and is proud to have been part of the fight where she won her right to leave something early simply because she and her partner have matching rings.
“Before we tied the knot everyone expected us to stay out all bloody night. As I grew older I hoped the lockout laws would change that but no dice. But now that we’re married we don’t even have to give an excuse, we just leave and people are OK with that. And straight people wondered why we wanted equality?”
Although planning an early exit, Marsh is looking forward to the landmark celebration which she will be enjoying for the first time as a married woman.
“The ball & chain and I will be going around asking unmarried queer couples ‘So which one of you wears the pants?’ It’s going to be a cracker.”
