NSW Parliament gets into Mardi Gras spirit

SYDNEY: Excitement for Saturday’s Mardi Gras Parade continues to build after a motion congratulating the long-running LGBTI festival was easily passed in NSW Parliament today.

The motion, introduced by Greens MLC Cate Faehrmann, passed the Upper House by 30 votes to four.

Perhaps of little surprise, Christian Democrats Fred Nile and Paul Green, and Robert Borsak and Robert Brown from the Shooters and Fishers Party, were the only four Upper House members to vote against the motion.

Coalition MPs however did demand that a reference to Sydney Mardi Gras’ work in the continuing campaign for full equality was dropped before agreeing to pass the motion.

“Nonetheless, I am delighted that my colleagues have joined me in congratulating the Sydney Mardi Gras for its significant contribution to community, culture and the economy,” Faehrmann said.

“This makes the upcoming weekend even more exciting. The LGBTI community will be thrilled to learn that the NSW Parliament is behind them.

“As always, this weekend’s parade will be an absolutely electric celebration of a truly inspiring community, its achievements and the challenges ahead for full equality.”

The motion passed reads as follows:

That this House congratulates Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for their 35th anniversary festival 'Sydney Mardi Gras 2013 – Generations of Love'.
That this House notes the significant contribution of Sydney Mardi Gras to the community, including:

a.    being a global beacon of diversity, acceptance and of equal rights for all people,
b.    being a celebration of the dignity, integrity and pride of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) people and their families,
c.    providing resources and opportunities for creative and political expression within the  LGBTI community,
d.    bringing the world's best artists, thinkers and entertainers to Sydney,
e.    a boon of more than $30 million dollars to the New South Wales economy each year, with approximately 20,000 interstate and overseas visitors coming to Sydney specifically for the festival.

That this House thanks the Sydney Mardi Gras Co-Chairs Peter Urmson and Siri Kommedahl, Chief Executive Officer Michael Rolik, all the board, staff and thousands of volunteers who have made the Sydney Mardi Gras 2013 possible.