The first time Richard Davies took part in Mardi Gras the parade ended with him being bashed by police. While Davies said the LGBTQ+ community had come far since the original march in 1978, he said there was still a way to go.
“We started out with 300 or 400 people walking down and ended up being bashed by police. Today, we now have 1200 people and hundreds of thousands of people watching.”
Davies came out in 1974 and said if he could go back in time and give himself a message it, would be to forgive himself. “I wouldn’t hide myself as much,” he said.
“The trans community probably suffer the most at the moment. They are struggling with different governments deciding they are not going to do puberty blockers, there is transphobia everywhere, it’s really tough,” he said.
While there will be many Mardi Gras veterans such as Davies marching tonight, it will also mark the very first time for some. Marching for the very first time, 17-year-old Raine Osbourne said she has never felt so free.
“Everybody is so themselves around here, everybody is so open about who they are, their sexuality, their expression, just them as a person, and nobody’s afraid,” she said.
The teenager said it was beautiful to have a day when she could be herself and be present.
“We can put glitter on our face and know that when we march through that street, people are looking, and they are staring, which is what we’re used to, but we’re not used to such admiration,” she said.
Taylor Davis is also proud to be at her first Mardi Gras, surrounded by her friends and representing video gamers.
“It is a wonderful representation of the community here in Sydney, no matter your age, shape or size, or what creature you are dressed as, everyone has a place,” she said.
