The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is an annual gay pride parade and festival for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Sydney, Australia, and is the largest such event in the world. The parade features individual entrants in colourful costumes, gatherings of local and inter-state community group members, and elaborate floats representing a topical theme or political message.
The parade, whilst featuring many in the gay community with a penchant for exotic costumes and dance music, has always retained a political edge, with often witty visual commentary on their political opponents featuring in the floats. As homosexuality became more and more accepted in the wider community, more gay representatives of community groups and organisations have taken part in the parade, including the police force.
The parade and dance party attracts many international and domestic tourists, providing a significant economic boost to Sydney each year.
