Sydney Mardi Gras Faces Backlash Over “Misguided” Invitation To Pauline Hanson

Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras is facing widespread backlash over their recent Instagram post inviting One Nation’s Pauline Hanson to attend the LGBTQ+ festival. The controversial statement was written in response to Hanson’s latest News24 appearance, in which she reaffirmed she did not like Mardi Gras, would never attend, and believed personal sexuality should be kept “behind closed doors” rather than “out there with the gay Mardi Gras”.

The Official Mardi Gras Post

“Mardi Gras is a party, a protest and a promise that LGBTQIA+ people don’t have to live “behind closed doors”,” the Mardi Gras post read, “no matter who’d prefer it that way. “For someone who says she’s never attended Mardi Gras, we’d argue Pauline Hanson has been participating in her own special way for decades.

“She’s inspired floats, drag queens, costumes and even a dance track — Pauline Pantsdown’s I Don’t Like It. She’s certainly contributed a lot of material. Mardi Gras has always responded to prejudice with humour, creativity and a fabulous outfit. So Pauline, the invitation remains open. Come along one year. You might even like it.”

The Backlash

The post was met with immediate criticism, some arguing the joke didn’t land, others declaring it was not the responsibility of the LGBTQ+ community to convince bigots to see us differently. For Simon Hunt, the iconic performer behind Pauline Pantsdown, inviting a politician with a record of racism to a purportedly safe and inclusive event was simply dangerous.

“This stupid & misguided post harms our communities,” Hunt wrote in the comments. “Of course Hanson’s svengali James Ashby will consider jumping at the ‘offer’ in this worst-ever attempt at sardonic humour, & SGLMG will continue contributing to dangers against our communities. 

The Second Mardi Gras Post

Mardi Gras responded to this criticism with another post on Tuesday night, clarifying that they “utterly reject” Hanson’s views and regret that “some of the intent behind [their] words was lost”.

“Hanson says she’s never attended or watched the Parade,” the post concluded, “We say it’s required viewing. Who knows? Maybe when she sees the tears, the smiles, the anger and the joy – and looks into the eyes of the people her words affect – she might change her mind. Perhaps she’ll feel something. And isn’t that part of why we march?”

The statement was met with similar criticism.

“No we don’t march to convince bigots of our humanity,” one commenter wrote, “[Hanson] has had decades to find acceptance. We march for those who came before us and for the generations to come.”