Celebrating diversity at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

The 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrates love for all.

A night to remember

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade was the place to be on Saturday March 1 with Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community and its allies putting on an incredible show. There was glitz, glamour and glitter galore, but the true meaning of the night went deeper than that. The 2025 Festival theme Free to Be was a celebration of the strides toward true LGBTQIA+ equality. It also acted as a global reminder that our fight is far from over, and that we are not truly free until we are all free to be.

On the night we walked, rolled and shimmied our way along the route, joyfully celebrating love in all its forms. Northcott and Cerebral Palsy Alliance also joined us and hand in hand we showed the world that when it comes to diversity and inclusion, we don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk.

The night was sheer magic. There was a mix of complete and utter joy, an overwhelming sense of pride, and of course plenty of love.

For a group that believes in human rights for all, this was an important event for us. It was the perfect moment to show just how much we love love. So, we marched to show the world that love is an emotion that everyone needs and also deserves.

A time to stand up

Afford’s Head of Engagement Nicole Bryson lead our team during the many months of preparation and on the night itself. She was thrilled to be a part of what was the 47th Mardi Gras, saying that now is the time to show the world that we stand with the LGBTQ+ community and that we always will.

“The world is going through a troubling time with the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community under attack,” said Nicole, (pictured above).

“I feel passionately that opportunities to stand up and be counted are more important than ever, especially as a queer and disabled person.

“The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade brings incredible glitz and glamour to our city but, there has always been a deeper purpose of loudly and proudly fighting for equality. Our Free to Fly float connected with that purpose, providing an opportunity for LGBTQIA+ people with disability to be visible, to claim their identities and importantly, to feel the love from the thousands of allies lining the route.

“There’s nothing quite like it and we can’t wait to do it all again next year.”

A moment to treasure

Allan Quick, a supported employee at Afford, was our ambassador for the 2025 parade. He has been in the parade seven times with both deaf and hearing LGBTQIA+ groups. He first marched with Afford in 2024.

“I was so happy to be at the parade with Afford. It is wonderful to see disability in a happy parade float and to see our community being more accepted,” said Allan about his recent star turn.

“It was great to be a part of this amazing team made up of people with disabilities. I am so proud of the work we did on our costumes and our beautiful Free to Fly float. The night was all about love. I can’t wait to do it again.”

Allan especially enjoyed meeting and mixing with other parade participants with disability.

“It was great meeting other gays and lesbians too. They told me they loved my fairy wings, and it made me happy to tell them I made them myself. Being the ambassador meant I walked in front of our float too, which made me very proud.”

A powerful message

Chief Operating Officer Leith Sterling also marched with us on the night. Sporting a mauve wig and matching lilac wings Leith was an impressive sight and she had a wonderful time too.

“It was an honour to join the 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade and march alongside our customers, co-workers, family and friends,” said Leith.

“LGBTQIA+ people with disability are a big part of our vibrant community and it was wonderful to celebrate their love and their right to live open, honest and authentic lives.

“It was wonderful to feel the love and recognition from the thousands of allies and supporters who lined the streets. It was a powerful reminder that equality and rights for LGBTQIA+ people with disability matter.”