Sydney Mardi Gras Parade 2012

All You Need Is Love

Saturday 3rd March 2012

Freedom2b will be marching for the sixth time in the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, the world’s most renowned pride event on the Australian LGBTIQ calendar.

Please scroll down for details about this year’s theme.

The number we can have in our group is limited. So if you are thinking about joining us this year please register now. You will be notified about details of the weekend soon.

Date: Saturday 3^rd March 2012

Cost: $55 or $35 (student or on benefits) Registrations close February 18th.

Price covers registration, T-shirts, marching pack (inlc. water bottle, bandana, etc) and cost of float/entry materials.

Dress: Group Shirt (compulsory to carry continuity of this year’s theme), blue jeans or shorts. You can also choose to wear face and/or body paint and glitter.

Choreography: Don’t panic….you just need to be able to walk the 3km.

Group Timeline:

If you are joining us from overseas or interstate, here is a general idea of what the weekend will look like so you can plan your itinerary accordingly.

Friday March 2 2012

7pm - Special Freedom2b meeting and BBQ - Picking up of T-Shirts and meeting other attendees who are marching. There will be a small cost of around $10 collected on the night  at the door of the venue which will cover food and venue hire. This is separate from the above registration fee. (Details of this meeting will follow soon).

Saturday March 3 2012

3.30pm – Freedom2b Mardi Gras 2012 attendees assemble at a meeting point and prepare to move into the parade marshalling area. (Location to follow soon).

4.15pm – Freedom2b Mardi Gras 2012 attendees move into the marshalling area and prepare to march.

8pm - Mardi Gras Parade begins.

After Party: Details of post parade celebrations will follow soon.

"All You Need Is Love"

Everyone at Freedom2b has had a different experience in coming to terms with their sexuality and how they let those around them know about their journey towards personal acceptance. Some have faced rejection from church or family members, others have lost their jobs or gone through 'ex-gay' ministry or reparative therapy and many have had to deal with discrimination, spiritual and emotional abuse. These experiences can be torturous and cause a person to feel like they are worth less than they are. It is not uncommon for LGBTIQ people from Christian backgrounds to have faced depression, anxiety or attempted suicide due to the percieved conflict between their sexuality and their faith. How different this could be if everyone knew, regardless of sexual orientation, that they are valued, accepted and loved.

In 2012, Freedom2b (a network of people from Christian backgrounds) will be sending a message that all you need is love as we march for the sixth time in the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.

Love lays the foundation for acceptance, it helps people to feel like they are worth something and it builds trust. But most importantly, it saves lives. Only through love can we rise above common heights and see the hurt that others go through.

Our message is a positive one being sent out to those who would imprison us through their ignorance. It’s time to teach those who would listen that all you need is love.

A quote by Martin Luther King Jr. summarises our entry this year:

"Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonises it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it".

The cost to march will be $55 (or $35 if you are a student or on benefits). Registrations close February 18th.

For more information, please email events@freedom2b.org or call Shane on 0409 243 009

Unsure about the importance of participating in the parade? These articles may be helpful.

1.        Parades - who needs them?

2.        The First Time Freedom2b  Marched in Mardi Gras - What happened?

3.        Read about the experience of some first timers

Photos of 2007: http://avb7.multiply.com/photos/album/1

Photos of 2008: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=8803252341

Photos of 2009: http://www.freedom2b.org/gallery/?album=all&gallery=11

Photos of 2010: http://www.freedom2b.org/gallery/?album=all&gallery=13

Photos of 2011: http://www.freedom2b.org/gallery/?album=all&gallery=16

As always, friends and supporters are very welcome. In 2011, several familes, heterosexual church leaders and friends marched beside us in solidarity. We really value and appreciate all our heterosexual friends and supporters. Thank you!

We can't wait to march with you in this year's Mardi Gras Parade!

Lots of love,

Freedom2b Mardi Gras Planning Team

Shane, Ben, Sam, Dean, Alex and Ash

Freedom2b exists to save lives, prevent harm and empower LGBTI people from Christian backgrounds through reconciliation of their sexuality and/or gender identity, and their faith.