MEDIA RELEASE: Sydney – 31 January 2025
Included: quotes, image pack, media call dates

Allan, Elly, and Dale – the disability dream team trio of the moment

After announcing our continued partnership for the 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford), Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA), and Northcott are proud to introduce our parade ambassadors.

These ambassadors play a key role in representing LGBTQIA+ people with disability both within their own organisations and in the broader community. As part of the parade working group, they contribute to planning the float, costumes, and parade experience. They also participate in media and promotional opportunities, take part in a flag-raising ceremony, and help bring the community together at costume-making and float-building workshops. Finally, the ambassadors will proudly lead our ‘Free to Fly’ themed float at the Parade on Saturday March 1, 2025.

Meet the ambassadors

Allan Quick (he/him), supported employee at Afford
“I have been in the parade seven times with deaf gay groups and hearing gay groups. My first time with Afford was last year, and I’m so happy to be in the parade again with Afford for 2025. It is wonderful to see disability in a happy parade float and to see our community being more accepted.

“What I love most about Mardi Gras is the vibe, the colourful parade up Oxford Street, and the lovely caring support of the non-gay community. I want the world to be friendly and caring to LGBTQIA+ people with disability. Just realise that not everyone is the same and that equality starts with love, patience, and understanding.”

Elly Desmarchelier (she/her), disability rights campaigner representing CPA
“As a disabled queer person and disability rights campaigner, being part of Mardi Gras is more than just celebration—it’s about visibility, pride, and community. Too often, disabled LGBTQ+ people are overlooked, but our identities and experiences matter. Mardi Gras is a powerful space to show that we belong, that our joy is radical, and that inclusion must mean all of us. I’m proud to be an ambassador for this float, standing alongside my community to demand true accessibility, representation, and justice.”

Dale Ryan (she/her), long-time Northcott customer, volunteer, adviser, and employee
“It matters to me as an ambassador for Northcott to put myself out there to be seen and to be heard as I am an equal in the LGBTQIA+ community. People in our community deserve to be seen for who they are despite their disability, whatever that is, and for them to feel happy and loved.”

 

Leadership support for the parade

The commitment of Afford, CPA, and Northcott to the LGBTQIA+ disability community is reflected in the strong support from their leadership teams. Each CEO has expressed the importance of this partnership in ensuring LGBTQIA+ people with disability are visible, celebrated, and included in one of Australia’s most iconic events.

Afford CEO, Jo Toohey (she/her)
“Being part of Mardi Gras is an incredible experience. There’s nothing quite like the energy, the celebration, and the sheer joy of the Parade. At Afford, we’re proud to champion diversity, for our clients and for our employees. Collaborating with Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Northcott also allows us to amplify the voices of LGBTQIA+ people with disability and make sure they’re seen, heard, and celebrated. I marched last year and will again this year because I know firsthand how powerful it is to take up space, to be visible, and to share this moment with our community.”

CPA CEO, Rob White (he/him)
“As always, Cerebral Palsy Alliance is proud to be taking part in this important celebration of diversity and inclusion alongside our partners Northcott and Afford. Each year our clients and staff take great pride in being involved in this iconic event, with this year’s theme ‘Free to Fly’ being a fabulous opportunity for people with disability to express and celebrate their sexuality.”

Northcott CEO, Liz Forsyth (she/her)
“The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is a celebration of inclusion, diversity and self-expression. Northcott is proud to support our customers and staff who identify as LGBTQIA+ to participate in the parade and be celebrated for who they are. We’re thrilled to don our wings and march alongside Cerebral Palsy Alliance and Afford. The theme of our float, ‘Free to Fly’, is a wonderful expression of the freedom and equality that Mardi Gras stands for.”

Media opportunities

Interviews by request
Interview opportunities with ambassadors and leaders from Afford, CPA, and Northcott are available upon request at any point, providing a firsthand perspective on the significance of their participation in Mardi Gras.

Media call dates:

  • Costume Day: Thursday 6 February, 10 am – 2 pm, Northcott, 1 Fennel Street, North Parramatta. Journalists and photographers are invited to capture the creative process and speak with ambassadors and participants.
  • Parade-Float Day: Thursday 13 February, 10 am – 2 pm, Northcott, 1 Fennel Street, North Parramatta. Journalists and photographers are invited to experience behind-the-scenes float preparations and speak with ambassadors and participants.
  • Flag Raising Ceremony: Thursday 13 February, 12 pm – 1 pm, Northcott, 1 Fennel Street, North Parramatta. Join ambassadors, leaders, and employees for the rainbow flag-raising ceremony, featuring guest speakers and interview opportunities.

Media contact

Kelly Baker
Communications Specialist
0479 033 299
kelly.baker@afford.com.au 

Assets

Read more: Disability dream team for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2025

 

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