His Head Was On A Plate (Press, 11 March 1989)

On 11 March 1989, over 50,000 spectators filled the streets of inner Sydney for the annual Gay Mardi Gras parade, which is increasingly recognised as one of the world's largest and most vibrant street parades. The event featured more than 63 floats and around 5,000 participants, captivating the diverse audience that included families and curious onlookers drawn by the parade’s reputation for stunning design and staging. The floats showcased a variety of themes and characters, such as a giant Barbie doll, representations of Wonder Woman, and a playful display featuring Noddy and Big Ears. A standout float that stirred significant controversy depicted the head of Reverend Fred Nile, a prominent anti-homosexual campaigner, portrayed on a silver platter amidst colourful fruits. This particular float was carried by the “Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence,” a group of gay men dressed as nuns. The idea arose from comments made by Rev. Nile during a political debate, which were seen as an invitation for the float's creation. After expressing outrage over the float, Rev. Nile called for arrests and sought police intervention, claiming that the display was offensive and should not be permitted. However, the police stated that no legal action could be taken as no complaints were formally lodged. Despite his efforts to curtail the float’s appearance, the parade proceeded smoothly and culminated in a grand fireworks display. The festivities did not end with the parade, as approximately 10,000 participants remained for the traditional all-night celebration. Rev. Nile voiced further concerns, predicting that the event would draw many people living with AIDS to Sydney, but parade organisers countered that the event actively promoted safe sex and included the distribution of literature and pamphlets related to AIDS awareness. The first Gay Mardi Gras took place 12 years earlier in 1978, where it consisted of a single float and a small group of protestors. Since then, it has grown significantly in scale and visibility, evolving into an annual celebration that enlivened the Sydney social calendar and sparked ongoing debates, particularly from figures like Rev. Nile, who has often opposed the parade's message and festivities. Two years prior, Nile had even organised prayers for rain to cancel the event, which astonishingly came true and led to the parade being abandoned. Overall, the Mardi Gras continues to be a focal point of cultural expression and advocacy within Sydney, celebrating diversity while simultaneously igniting discussions about moral values and representation in the public sphere.

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