Fair Day gets political

Fair Day gets political

Fair Day this Sunday will be one of the most political in years as activists use the annual Mardi Gras outing to test MPs’ gay rights commitment ahead of state and federal elections.

Lobby group Community Action Against Homophobia is inviting state and federal politicians and election candidates to speak at its stall in Victoria Park from 1pm.

CAAH co-convenor Simon Biber told Sydney Star Observer the event would allow politicians to put their position on gay rights in the lead-up to the 24 March state election and the federal election due later in the year.

A lot of them don’t have clearly identified positions, such as whether they will put a private member’s bill forward for these rights, Biber said.

Greens senator Kerry Nettle has confirmed she will appear. CAAH is hopeful Labor, Liberal and other parties will also send representatives.

On a day usually known for family-friendly activities and entertainment, the NSW Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby will also focus on politics when it holds a mass planting of pink hearts highlighting the need for state and federal equality.

The Sea of Hearts follows a similar event at Fair Day last year. This year the Lobby wants to plant 5,000 hearts with the help of the community.

In this election year it’s crucial for all of us to be aware that we need to keep up the pressure on all political parties, Lobby spokesperson May Miller-Dawkins told the Star .

Politicians including federal Labor MPs Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek, independent NSW MP and Sydney lord mayor Clover Moore and Greens parliamentarian Lee Rhiannon have confirmed they will be at the Lobby event. All are due to plant hearts at 2:30pm.

Queensland farmer and reality television star David Graham will mark the Sea of Hearts initiative with a speech on the main stage at 3pm. Graham will also judge the Sydney Star Observer Show Us Your Spread competition (see story below).

Elsewhere, Fair Day entertainment will include regular live news broadcasts by iconic newsreader Tracey Spicer and performances by the likes of R&B diva Jade Macrae and Hedwig And The Angry Inch star iOTA.

Regular favourites such as dog competition Doggywood and drag spectacular Miss Fair Day will return. The new Mr Fair Day contest will showcase leading drag king talent.

New Mardi Gras is hoping to top last year’s estimated 75,000 attendance figure. New Mardi Gras chair Marcus Bourget told the Star Fair Day crowds could also look forward to a very pink and patriotic surprise on Sunday. He said the treat was not a celebrity guest, but would not be drawn further.

Fair Day is a fully licensed event and patrons will not be allowed to bring their own alcohol. The official after-party will be at the Bank Hotel in Newtown.

Fair Day is on Sunday 18 February, 10am-8pm, in Victoria Park, Camperdown.

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