BBC NEWS | In Pictures | In pictures: Sydney gay pride

BBC NEWS / IN PICTURES
Graphics Version BBC Sport Home

Saturday, 1 March 2008, 15:35 GMT

In pictures: Sydney gay pride

Participant in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade blows a kiss

1 of 7
Around 300,000 spectators have turned out to watch the 30th annual gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade through central Sydney.

Participants in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade

Participants in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade

2 of 7
The first parade, in 1978, was attended by 1,500 people protesting against state laws banning homosexual acts. It ended in clashes with police and 50 arrests.

Participant in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade

3 of 7
Nearly 10,000 people participated in this year's parade, making it the largest ever.

Participant in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade

4 of 7
Around 150 themed floats, including moving dance floors, helped make up the 4km (2.5 miles) procession down Sydney's Oxford Street.

Participants in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade wearing swim suits

Participants in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade wearing swim suits

5 of 7
The Sydney Mardi Gras has become one of the world's largest and most flamboyant demonstrations of gay pride.

Participants in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade dressed as nuns

Participants in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade dressed as nuns

6 of 7
The parade has become increasingly mainstream with people joining the party from as far as the United States and Europe.

Participant in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade dressed as aliens

Participant in Sydney's gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade dressed as aliens

7 of 7
Anti-homosexual laws have been banned throughout Australia but some violence against gays and lesbians continues, including in largely gay-friendly Sydney.

E-mail this to a friend

Related to this story:
Sydney gay pride event turns 30 (01 Mar 08 | Asia-Pacific )