***A loud cheer rang out at a rainy Sydney Mardi Gras for a float honouring Carmen, ‘Sea of Love’. “Carmen's red float was adorned with pictures of her, and her boys tugging her iconic scooter. Plus more of her friends followed it up, carrying her pictures saying 'LOVE' above them,” an observer says. “It is crucial to represent such an iconic figure within the community,” float producer Koko D’Vyne told GayNZ.com Daily News. “We all have a path in life and Carmen fought and supported so many things in her time I feel her path was to share and spread the word of love and to keep loving and staying fabulous while doing this.” The Carmen Rupe Memorial Trust has thanked all the volunteers who took part. “The weather Gods probably could have been a little kinder to us but no amount of rain could dilute our Sea of Love, which flowed (quite literally) up Oxford Street last night to celebrate the remarkable life of Carmen Rupe. It was obvious Carmen’s spirit coursed through the veins of many of us, ensuring we had a fabulous time in spite of the horrendous weather,” the Trust says. “Heartfelt thanks for the wonderful work of our volunteers who worked tirelessly over recently days and weeks to ensure the Carmen Sea of Love float looked absolutely amazing – and to each and every participant who came along looking totally gorgeous and gave it their all in less than optimum conditions.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 4th March 2012 - 6:20pm