It’s almost time for one of the most important days in the LGBTQIA+ calendar: Sydney’s Mardi Gras, otherwise known as queer Christmas. Take a deep breath in and exhale, allow yourself to feel the excitement — or day I say: the RUSH as Troye Sivan sang in his unofficial queer anthem — as we enter safely and fabulously into the streets to celebrate everything it is about being queer.
I’m Sandy, your unofficial non-binary fairy god-parent, here to guide you through your first Mardi Gras. An incredibly sacred and formative event for all queers and allies.
But, understandably, it can be incredibly daunting to head into your first gay Chrissy, so to make sure you have the best time ever and stay safe, I’ve compiled a list of 10 golden rules to keep in mind before heading to Mardi Gras.
10 golden rules to enjoy your first Mardi Gras
1. Your outfit is everything
Not to pressure you, but this is a momentous occasion! Be bold, be bright, wear as much or as little as you want.
Planning your outfit is one of the best parts of the whole process — enjoy it! Create a Pinterest board of outfits you love and admire. Think about what kind of energy you want to bring to the event. Once found, seek out your dream look (hot tip: op shops are a gold mine for Mardi Gras goodies!)
Planning your outfit is quite possibly the best part. (Credit: Supplied / Sandy McIntyre)
Need help pulling together your Mardi Gras outfit? We got you!
2. Go with a crew
It’s always more fun to go as a group and share the experience with your favourite peeps, so try to recruit some pals to go with. If you don’t have friends or family who are able to accompany you, put a call out on social media to see who else is going and see if you can tag along.
3. Educate yourself on what Mardi Gras means
While it may be a magical time, it’s also a time to acknowledge what we’re celebrating in the first place.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras began back in 1978, where our forefathers, mothers and trancestors put their lives on the line for us to enjoy ours.
I understand that it doesn’t feel too joyous at the minute with trans/non-binary rights being taken away overseas and here at home, so it’s even more important for us to continue what those before us started and acknowledge the importance of waving the flag for queer rights.
4. If you’re heading to the parade, GO EARLY!
The crowd is intense, and beautifully so, but if you spend too long getting all dolled up and take your time getting to the parade line, you run the risk of having to sit behind a sea of people, unable to see a damn thing.
Go early, find a spot, BYO milk crate to sit and enjoy the magic.
But honestly if you overdo it at pres and end up with a crappy spot, you will still most definitely have a ball! The energy is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before — everyone’s chatting to each other, dancing together, enjoying the that sense of pride.
Which leads me to the next rule…
5. Embrace the community spirit
The abject joy in the air is next level and most people will be super chatty and friendly — lean into it! Make new friends and vibe with your fellow queers and allies!
As always though, amongst the joy, there are still icky humans about. If anyone makes you uncomfortable, please don’t be afraid to seek protection from community. We are here to help and ensure you are having the most magical time possible. It’s not an imposition, it’s a priority to know we’re all safe.
The vibes at Mardi Gras are IMMACULATE. (Credit: Getty)
6. You don’t need to spend a bunch to have a ball
Low on cash? Don’t stress! There are loads of fun things to do that won’t cost a fortune.
If you don’t want to pay an exorbitant amount on entry to venues, my advice is to stay in the streets! After the parade, the party truly starts. The streets of Surry Hills are filled with hope and delectable delight where music is playing and people are dancing. I personally prefer this over any venue!
Be with the people, my friends.
7. Be safe
I hope this goes without saying but, be responsible. Don’t leave your drinks unattended, and my god, don’t take drinks from those you don’t know/trust.
8. Plan your trip home
Mardi Gras energy can be rather full-on so you don’t want to be stuck at the end of the night when you’re all partied out and need to crawl into bed.
If, like me, you’re socially anxious, I find it helpful to construct an “I’m going to go home” plan ahead of the event.
I like to give myself a cut off-time and either have a ride organised, an Uber/taxi booked in advance, or have the train and bus timetables on-hand.
Making sure you get home safely is THE most important thing, even more so than your outfit (and that’s saying something!).
9. Be loud and proud and don’t let anything stop your sparkle
As I mentioned earlier, there will always be people trying to dim our light but you can’t allow them affect you — this is our time to shine!
My first Mardi Gras was when I was 17. As someone who was cosplaying as straight very unsuccessfully, I was apprehensive yet enraptured to see and be around queer people. I wore an outfit reminiscent of an e-boy today and was walking down the street peacefully when a man walked past, spat on me and blurted out the f-slur. As I was a literal child, I was immediately shocked and instead of crying, I laughed it off and said “I’m okay”. But I wasn’t. I just wanted to be back home in Campbelltown, watching re-runs of The OC and eating Red Rooster.
What I regret is the fact that I allowed that horrible man to have control over my first Mardi Gras experience. I can and should be aware of him and others like him without allowing them to take away my sense of pride. On a happier note, all the Mardi Gras I have attended since have been a far more joyous celebration.
Unfortunately, I continue to experience disrespect firsthand whether it be online and/or in public, almost weekly. Does it upset me? Sure it does. But what I remember is that these people are purely intimidated by someone who isn’t constricted to the societal norm. To exist freely is to exist beautifully. We don’t have control over how others treat us, but what we do have control over is how we treat ourselves. I recognise and respect my happiness first and foremost, whether that’s how I dress, how I wear makeup, how I walk or how I choose to be. It’s important to stand tall and walk confidently, even when you don’t feel it as this normalises pride, which in turn becomes your second skin.
10. Soak up the queer joy
Take a minute to reflect, observe your surroundings and for the love of Chappell Roan, enjoy your very own “Pink Pony Club”. You’ll find that queer joy is circling you and if this is your first time, sit in that feeling to acknowledge how beautiful you are.
Queer joy runs through my veins. It didn’t always and that’s important to note. Growing up in South-Western Sydney left me feeling misunderstood, as if there was something inherently wrong with me.
As I’ve grown older and understood my emotions as well as my worth, it’s allowed me to connect to myself in a way that has provided me with an armour that has shown me that my queerness is, in fact, my difference that provides me with strength.
I thank the heavens every day that I am queer, that I am non-binary and that I am different because in this world, it’s in our differences we can have conversations and enact change. You, my angels, are a part of that change. Not only within yourself, but within society. You will change 100 times over and I hope that you do. People and self-help books will try and teach you “how to find the authentic you” but the finding is in the journey, in the experiences, in the parties and within the community.
There is no right or wrong way to embark on your journey. We all need to find ourselves in places that challenge us because in doing so, we will grow stronger to the point where we will carry our differences with pride. I say this because it does get better.
Until then, I hope you have the best, most magical Mardi Gras imaginable!
This story is part of our Mardi Gras digital issue, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ culture makers and game changers. Read more here.
The post Listen Up, Baby Queers: Here Are 10 Golden Rules For Enjoying Your First Mardi Gras appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
