More than 130 floats and 9,500 revelers decked out in sequins, feathers, wigs and leather danced through the Oxford streets of Sydney on Saturday to the cheers of more than 300,000 people at the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. The parade was led by Olympic gold medal diver Matthew Mitcham, who stood atop the first float surrounded by male dancers dressed in colurful speedos.
This year's parade theme was "Nations United," a tribute to homosexuals around the world, particularly in countries where they cannot live openly. American personality Joan Rivers, in town for her one-woman comedy show especially for Mardi Gras, waved from a truck.
Pilots, lifeguards, cheerleaders, nurses and sports teams strutted and spun to their floats' music. Banks, schools and churches were represented, as were the Australian Federal Police, the Defense Department and state firefighters.
All of the marchers, whether flamboyant in feathers and high heels or wearing their official work uniforms, were grinning ear-to-ear as they waved to the crowd. We have more photos after the jump .. and many more at a special Mardi Gras gallery here!
Check out more photos at the Mardi Gras parade gallery!
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