Sydney – full of Pride

The first WorldPride to be held in the southern hemisphere concluded last weekend with a kaleidoscopic bang. The program, packed solid with over 400 events, has kept locals and visitors frenetic for three weeks and seen the city of Sydney swathed in a multitude of colours.

Here are some Sydney WorldPride big ticks.

The Weather ✔︎
After a mild and often wet start to the season, the weather finally remembered what Sydney summers were supposed to be like, and its timing was perfect. There were lots of huge outdoor events (and quite a few feathery costumes) that would have been ruined by inhospitable rain, but it seemed the weather Gods and Goddesses were up for a party too.
Sydney WorldPride brought lots of tourists to town, and apart from the festival itinerary they were able to enjoy sights, activities and the glorious beaches this city has to offer.

Positive messaging ✔︎
Everybody was getting into the act and whether it was performative or genuine, it still meant that queerness was being seen and celebrated in the mainstream. While the annual Mardi Gras Parade is always been a major news item for a few days, Sydney WorldPride attracted supportive media coverage across the country and around the world for months.
Shopfronts unabashedly displayed progress flags and Sydney WorldPride logos. Public transport, street furniture, buildings, icons, almost anything that could bear the weight of a ribbon was adorned in the colours of the rainbow.

Economy ✔︎
WorldPride is one of the biggest Pride festivals held anywhere in the world. A city that hosts a WorldPride event can expect a massive influx of tourists as well as active participation from locals. Sydney WorldPride was no exception. After the horrendous mini-Dark Age of the pandemic, it was good to see the city once again alive with activity and celebration.
Sydney WorldPride helped circulate loads of pink dollars through the economy giving the city a welcome stimulus.

Arts and Culture ✔︎
The breadth and variety of cultural events that comprised the festival program was staggering. Virtually all the theatres and cultural venues in the city hosted at least one Sydney WorldPride related event. From main stage musicals like Rocky Horror Show at Theatre Royal and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes at The Hayes, to experimental and alternative performances like 24-hour Grumble Boogie at Carriageworks, to the beautiful choral magic of the expanded Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir/Sydney WorldPride super choir in Out & Loud & Proud.
Musical recitals, art exhibitions, live performance, theatre – it was all in the program.

Atmosphere ✔︎
The air above Sydney was electric for three solid weeks as it hosted a continuous open-door celebration where everyone was welcome. There were huge outdoor parties including the massive opening and closing concerts in The Domain and the Bondi Beach Party, plus countless Pride Amplified events hosted by almost every venue in the city, as well as harbour cruise parties and pop-up street events.

Advocacy ✔︎
Sydney WorldPride alone was a powerful advocate for the LGBTQI+ community, but the festival program also included a three-day Human Rights Conference with an agenda that addressed atrocities and inequalities still experienced by LGBTQI+ people around the world with a special focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

There were also a few crosses…

Pricing and tickets ✖︎
While there were many free and low cost events, there were complaints that the major events were priced out of possibility for a large number of people.

Facilities ✖︎
Reports from attendees at some of the outdoor events suggest that there weren’t enough food trucks and toilets, resulting in very long queues and a less than pleasant experience.

Harassment and phobia ✖︎
Overall, the vibe was one of feeling welcomed and safe, but there were a notable number of incidents of slurs being yelled, physical intimidation, and covert and overt homo/trans phobia.

The final analysis is that Sydney WorldPride brought much-needed radiance and vibrancy to the city, nurtured inclusion, and raised the international profile of Sydney as a progressive city that knows how to throw a party.