Council urged to support Mardi Gras museum

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has written to Lord Mayor Clover Moore urging the City of Sydney Council to support a ‘Mardi Gras museum’ for the former T2 Hotel building at Darlinghurst’s iconic Taylor Square.

Mardi Gras CEO Michael Rolik said the organisation wants the City to allow its “pop up museum” – which will be temporarily housed in the T2 building during Mardi Gras 2013 – to continue permanently.

“Mardi Gras is making a submission to Council for the site to become a permanent museum for the benefit of Sydney’s LGBTIQ community,” said Mr Rolik.

“We’d take our temporary exhibition and turn it into a permanent home,” he said.

Mr Rolik said he understood Council must consider all options for the site but “we will argue a strong case for the wishes of our community”.

The Mardi Gras proposal received strong support from several councillors at Monday’s night’s Council meeting. ALP Councillor Linda Scott urged other councillors to support it.

“If you walked down Oxford St right now, you wouldn’t know it’s the epicentre of Sydney’s gay and lesbian community,” she said. “A permanent museum would strengthen Oxford St’s gay and lesbian identity.”

Liberal Councillor Christine Forster said a Mardi Gras or LGBTIQ museum was appropriate for the site because “it’s located at the spiritual heart of the community”.

Greens Councillor Irene Doutney, Liberal councillor Edward Mandla and Living Sydney Councillor Angela Vithoulkas also supported the idea.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore was non-committal and said the community consultation process was ongoing – but she said she had always supported Mardi Gras.

“As Lord Mayor, previously as Member for Sydney, I have always been a strong supporter of Mardi Gras.

“Council recently approved sponsorship of $200,000 for Mardi Gras, an increase of $50,000 on our previous arrangement.

“We provide Mardi Gras with office space … workshop space and other venues.

“Each year our rainbow banners decorate the city in celebration of Mardi Gras, and a rainbow flag is raised over Town Hall.”

The matter will be revisited at the next Council meeting on December 10.