World Pride: A members perspective
This is a member only article
Country Network Member Carl Milton brings us a unique local perspective of World Pride.
Sydney is my home town. It is where I was born 60 years ago and it is where I currently live. I haven’t always resided in Sydney, having lived big chapters of my life in other cities, other countries and in different parts of rural Australia. Like all big global cities, Sydney has become a bit generic and has lost some of its quintessential Sydney-ness. Despite this, it still remains high on most people’s list as a city where they would most like to live in the world.
When Sydney was chosen to host 2023 World Pride in conjunction with the Mardi Gras Festival it necessitated a date change from the tradition of being held mid-year during the northern hemisphere summer. It will be the first time World Pride has been hosted down in the southern hemisphere. As I don’t have a crystal ball, I can’t predict how the 2023 Sydney World Pride event will unfold. We are living in a decade of disruption with a lot of uncertainty about the various changes and transitions that are happening in the world on many levels.
The clock is now ticking toward the launch of 2023 Sydney Pride/Mardi Gras and action is underway to try and revitalize Oxford Street, which was once the thriving mecca of Sydney gay life. Sadly, the nightlife of this once world-renowned gay ghetto was been whittled away by lock out laws, gentrification, Covid ramifications and by online activities, as well as social media replacing personal face to face interactions. There are however, plans to reopen former gay venues such as ARQ and Bodyline and it is likely that some new venues will be emerging along Oxford Street to cash in on the anticipated pink dollar spending. Inner-city areas such as Newtown and Erskineville also offer a few gay establishments and maintain a strong and visible gay presence.
Beyond the ‘gay’ milieu, Sydney has so much to offer – museums, art galleries, etc. as well as the pulse and buzz of big city life. Also, the stunning landscapes of the Blue Mountains are worth a big day trip and Sydney’s iconic beaches such as Manly and Bondi are relatively easy locations to visit.
With 300 plus events listed for Pride, it is too onerous to list individual events and venues. It is best to research online at the World Pride site, or obtain a free hard copy of the events listings in order to find the events of that speak to your individual interests. It can be wise if CN Members are visiting Sydney to have done a bit of preparation in regard to public transport usage (an Opal card, or tappable credit card is required). Also, be sure to pre-check things like toll roads charges in order to avoid the unwelcome surprise of unforeseen expenses
Some may lament that the 2023 Pride/Mardi Gras is shaping up to have become too sanitized, commercialized, corporatized and monetised. The days of Sydney being a feisty wild party town are no longer so evident. CTV cameras are now everywhere. Social media and a woke and wellness cancel culture has largely seen overt discrimination and gay bashings become a thing of the past. Gone too, are the days of numerous AIDS deaths in Sydney.
At the time of writing, (early Jan 2023) the Monkeypox virus in Sydney has been largely contained with minimal transmissions. Gay men in Sydney have had fairly easy access to being able to be vaccinated. Although, it is no longer looming large on the media radar, Covid is still very much doing the rounds in Sydney. Even despite one having been vaccinated and having previously caught Covid, it is possible to be reinfected a 2nd and even a 3rd time! In regard to Covid, individual caution, personal responsibility and safeguards are required.
On a positive note, the strong La Nina weather system of the past few years is forecast to be coming to an end. No one wants it to rain on their parade. There are so many wonderful things to celebrate in term of LGBT progress. When I was a teenager, options such as gay marriage seemed totally unconceivable. It is important that we ensure that hard-fought for LGBT human rights like marriage equality aren’t diminished in any way.
If, as a CN member you are planning on heading to Sydney to attend World Pride, the experience you have will depend largely on the energy and the attitude that you yourself bring along to Pride. Beyond the self-seeking of one’s own personal pleasures and experiences, events like Pride can be a beacon of hope to oppressed and vilified LGBTQ people living in different countries. It is worthwhile remembering that in some parts of the world celebrations like Pride would not be tolerated, and even being involved in an event like Pride event could result in violence and even death. In some ways by attending Pride, being visible, celebrating life and having a voice one can radiate hope and acceptance to others.
Life is short. Enjoy.
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