Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras

Last weekend was Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, otherwise known as 'Gay Christmas'. Google was fortunate enough to have a float and on the Friday before the big parade, I was lucky enough to score a spot walking in the parade on the Friday before the parade. Of course I had to go buy an outfit the day of because, c'mon, this is Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. I didn't want to look ridiculous!

I'd say my outfit was a huge success because upon arriving to the park where we were to wait until our float was ready to go, I felt like a celebrity. People kept coming up, asking to get their pictures taken with me or take pictures of me, even reporters did!

The parade was amazing and it was definitely a different experience being in the parade, jumping up and down and trying to pump up the crowd as you go down the route. It is a crazy parade, as you can see in the picasa pictures, but it was also a really unique experience.

Afterwards we went to a party where Rhianna ended up showing up and performing...at 8am. I fortunately was already sleeping soundly by this point since I had gone home at about 1am.

The next evening I went out on Oxford street to get some food, and there were still drag queens, guys in sequined speedos, etc. partying at all of the bars, clearly having not been home or slept since the night before. Those gays really know how to party!

The picasa album is all pictures that a woman from work took with her professional camera. They show the real essence of the parade. The below photos are just a few snapped from my camera early on. Hope you enjoy!

https://picasaweb.google.com/EmilyKarp/MardiGrasSydney2011?authkey=Gv1sRgCLL286eEtPnupgE&feat=directlink









P.S. here is a video one of the guys at work shot while we were walking the parade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWbS3FyhkM8