Grief, community tensions, and even some rain could not spoil the parade as Sydney's LGBTIQ+ community and allies marched up Oxford Street in a celebration of love and community.
The annual parade as part of the Mardi Gras festival carried a tinge of sadness in mourning couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, .
Parade-leading motorcycle club Dykes on Bikes revved up engines and the crowd as the festivities began, later pausing in Taylor Square in recognition of the pair.
Dykes on Bikes opened the the 46th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade in Sydney. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
Marchers in the Sydney Swans float wore black armbands in memory of AFL umpire Baird.
This year's Qantas float paid tribute to Luke Davies. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
Pride in Protest continued the theme, drawing support from spectators as they called for a and an end to alleged police violence against LGBTIQ+ and minority communities.
Some Mardi Gras participants called for ceasefire in Gaza. Source: AAP / Stephen Saphore
Pro-Palestinian protesters carrying a banner that read "Queer solidarity with Palestinian resistance" entered the parade route near Taylor Square.
Police arrested one man and seven women, aged 25 to 42, charging them with a violent disorder offence, carrying a maximum penalty of six months in jail.
2024 marked the 46th annual Mardi Gras celebration in Sydney. Source: AAP / Paul Braven
On-duty, uniformed police flanked the LGBTIQ+ liaison officers who marched in largely identical shirts, joined by commissioner Karen Webb and police minister Yasmin Catley.
NSW police participated in the Mardi Gras parade, despite recent controversy. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
"It has been challenging and I'm really glad we're here tonight," she told the ABC.
The theme of this year's Sydney Mardi Gras was 'Our Future'. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
"I think that we're a resilient community. We shouldn't have to be so resilient, but we are," they told the Australian Associated Press.
The drag queen opted for a Barbarella-esque ensemble for their 10th Mardi Gras in five-inch stiletto boots and gravity-defying hair crafted from two wigs.
Domino Trixx described the LGBTIQ+ community as "resilient". Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
"Myself and my friends have faced police brutality towards us in the past, so we do question why they're marching," she told AAP.
Sydney's annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrates the LGBTIQ+ community. Source: AAP / Rounak Amini
Firefighters and paramedics were cheered along the route with an occasional celebratory siren as a member on a stretcher was resuscitated through the power of dance.
Many organisations and community groups, including the CSIRO, had floats in this year's Mardi Gras parade. Source: AAP / Steven Saphore
Chris Minns became the first NSW premier to march in the parade, joining federal colleague Tanya Plibersek as part of the Rainbow Labor float.
People from many different cultural backgrounds took part in the festivities. Source: AAP / Paul Braven
