‘Gay and Lesbian’ Mardi Gras returns

‘Gay and Lesbian’ Mardi Gras returns

MardiGrasAt an Extraordinary General Meeting on Saturday, May 25, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) members voted unanimously to reinsert the words “Gay and Lesbian” into the name of the annual festival.

Members passed two resolutions abandoning both the “New Mardi Gras” company name and the “Sydney Mardi Gras” parade name in favour of titles that explicitly contain the words “Gay and Lesbian”.

In a statement the SGLMG Board thanked members for involving themselves “in the naming of who we are”.

“We will continue to focus on increasing engagement with women and young people across all areas of the organisation, as well as deeper engagement with our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex communities,” the statement reads.

The SGLMG dropped “Gay and Lesbian” from the festival’s title in 2011 in an attempt to give Mardi Gras a wider appeal and include transgender and intersex people. The name change triggered a backlash from the LGBTI community and prompted an apology from the SLGMG Board for not adequately consulting with members.

The name changes will be made in time for Mardi Gras 2014.

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