Eighty people affiliated with the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT brandished placards, drummed noisily and waved enthusiastically from a mini bus at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade on February 29, to mark the theme WHAT MATTERS.
The Uniting Church and its community services, social justice and chaplaincy arm, Uniting, have a 40-year history of taking up society’s most important issues including drug reform, aged care reform, affordable housing, climate action and LGBTI inclusion.
Executive Director, Tracey Burton said, “Uniting has always been at the forefront of the issues that matter most, and we couldn’t be prouder to showcase that history as well as the continuing struggle for a more compassionate and caring society.”
The Uniting mini bus featured several social causes including the slogan, “Freedom of religion is not freedom to discriminate”. Uniting also provided a non-sensory zone tent in Hyde Park South to ensure people with anxiety, sensory issues and with autism spectrum disorder had a place to decompress and relax.
The Uniting Church contingent wore hot-pink t-shirts bearing the slogan “Uniting for a fairer world”.
The Rev. Radhika Sukumar-White, minister at Leichhardt Uniting Church, said,
“Leichhardt Uniting Church has marched and drummed at Mardi Gras for a number of years now but, this year, most participants were allies who wanted to show their support and encouragement to their LGBTIQ+ siblings.
“Marching as a faith community is a really powerful opportunity, and a great witness to those who attend and watch, that there are places that are fully affirming of sexual and gender diversity.”
Reflecting on the Parade, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger said, “Last night was a dazzling display of diversity that brought together people from across the globe to celebrate what truly matters.”
“In total there were 191 floats, representing a spectacular cross section of the community and each bringing their own terrific twist to this year’s theme.
“This year we collectively reflected on a number of issues facing our community. From LGBTQI homelessness to the Australian bushfires and climate change, many of this year’s floats had a distinct point of view on the issues that matter most.
