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| Sydney gay pride event turns 30 | Sydney gay pride event turns 30 |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Some 300,000 people have turned out in Sydney, Australia, for the 30th annual gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade. | Some 300,000 people have turned out in Sydney, Australia, for the 30th annual gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade. |
| This year's parade is the largest ever, with 10,000 participants, including a military contingent, strutting their stuff in colourful costumes. | This year's parade is the largest ever, with 10,000 participants, including a military contingent, strutting their stuff in colourful costumes. |
| The event has become one of the largest gay pride festivals in the world and generates millions in tourism revenue. | The event has become one of the largest gay pride festivals in the world and generates millions in tourism revenue. |
| Members of the original 1978 march, which ended in clashes with police and 50 arrests, are being honoured. | Members of the original 1978 march, which ended in clashes with police and 50 arrests, are being honoured. |
| About 100 ministers and clergy will offer an apology for the treatment of gays and lesbians. | About 100 ministers and clergy will offer an apology for the treatment of gays and lesbians. |
| 'Still difficult' | 'Still difficult' |
| The event attracts people from around the world. Air New Zealand put on a special "pink flight" from San Francisco to Sydney. | The event attracts people from around the world. Air New Zealand put on a special "pink flight" from San Francisco to Sydney. |
| As usual, the lesbian motorcycle group Dykes on Bikes began the procession up central Sydney's Oxford Street, followed by nearly 200 of the original "class of '78" or their partners. | As usual, the lesbian motorcycle group Dykes on Bikes began the procession up central Sydney's Oxford Street, followed by nearly 200 of the original "class of '78" or their partners. |
| For the first time, an official contingent from the Australian Defence Force is taking part. | For the first time, an official contingent from the Australian Defence Force is taking part. |
| While Sydney has embraced its gay community, not all of Australia has, said one of the 1978 marchers. | While Sydney has embraced its gay community, not all of Australia has, said one of the 1978 marchers. |
| "It is still very difficult for young people in country towns to come out as lesbian or gay, and even in outer suburbs and regional centres," Diane Minnis told The Age newspaper. | "It is still very difficult for young people in country towns to come out as lesbian or gay, and even in outer suburbs and regional centres," Diane Minnis told The Age newspaper. |
| The parade includes 150 themed floats, moving dance floors, drag queens and a host of scantily-clad revellers stretching for 4km. | The parade includes 150 themed floats, moving dance floors, drag queens and a host of scantily-clad revellers stretching for 4km. |
| The annual event has become one of the city's major tourist attractions. | The annual event has become one of the city's major tourist attractions. |
| But it is all a far cry from the inaugural fancy-dress gay pride march 30 years ago. | But it is all a far cry from the inaugural fancy-dress gay pride march 30 years ago. |
| Back then male homosexuality was still illegal in New South Wales and the march ended with clashes with police and 50 arrests. | Back then male homosexuality was still illegal in New South Wales and the march ended with clashes with police and 50 arrests. |
| Now it is arguably the world's pre-eminent gay and lesbian celebration. | Now it is arguably the world's pre-eminent gay and lesbian celebration. |
| Are you in Sydney? Have you been celebrating at the Mardi Gras festival? Send us your comments using the form below: | |
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