Of course, we're looking forward to hearing from the participants! Trudy National 9:47 am AEST March 5 2000 Mardi gras embraces reconciliation, protests tampon tax AAP -- Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade embraced two political themes last night, with the message to the federal government being unmistakeable. The first called for reconciliation between black and white Australia. The second opposed levying the GST on tampons. In an event that began as a protest, evolved into a party and then became the world's biggest street parade, the edge was still there, despite the corporate backing and officials with ear-pieces. Around 500,000 people braved overcast skies and crammed Sydney's Oxford Street for the Mardi Gras last night. As spectators stood on their now-traditional milk crate perches, flesh and exotic costumes went on display early. The procession of Dykes on Bikes, some in leathers, some wearing very little, and at least two dressed as Bananas in Pyjamas' B1 and B2, heralded the start of the world's biggest gay and lesbian event. The crowd roared its approval when a float calling for reconciliation between white Australia and Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders passed down Oxford Street. In an overt political message, reinforced by the applause from half a million pairs of hands, banners proclaimed "Reconciliation Now" and "End Mandatory Sentencing". Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders, their bodies painted with traditional decorations, led a group of people several hundred strong calling for a revised attitude from the federal government. They were followed by the Asian Marching Boys, who in turn preceded another group with a sharp political message for Prime Minister John Howard. The Bloody Marys were dressed as tampons and waved banners proclaiming their opposition to the levying the GST on female sanitary products. Now in its 23rd year, the Mardi Gras has become the only street parade in the world to rival Carnivale in Rio and the New Orleans Jazz Festival for crowd pulling power. Some 1,400 marshals were on hand to ensure the parade progressed smoothly, although the stresses began to tell as the parade wore on. People from all walks of life had come to see one of the world's great spectator events. Six-year-old Xenia Goodwin had taken up her position on the corner of Oxford and Palmer Streets at 2.30pm this afternoon. "I came to see Mogadonna," she said. She was unfazed by spectators clad in everything from jeans and T-shirts to performers in g-strings and thigh high boots. An assistant area co-ordinator for the Mardi Gras, Liz Dods, estimated the crowd an hour before the parade kicked off was just under half a million strong. "But it is building - building quite quickly", Ms Dods said. "It's started building up a little later this year." The crowd continued to build after the parade began. And although the first floats did not begin rolling down Oxford Street until almost 45 minutes after they were scheduled, spectators generally remained cheery. However, people attempting to cross through barriers and other secure areas caused officials the usual headaches. At least two participants took a swipe at recent statements by religious authorities opposing the Mardi Gras. One dressed as a Pope and another as a Protestant Archbishop. They waved a banner proclaiming: "God Loves Men In Drag". But there was a serious side to an event characterised by feather boas, marching boys and S&M leather-wear. For the parents of gay offspring, the march was about acknowleding people they'd seen grow up, often ostracised, considered "different". One of them, Alby Olver, marched bearing a photograph of his son, Darren, who died of AIDS in 1994. "I march every year," Mr Olver said. "I told him I would march as long as I have legs on my body ... I told him I would march until I die," he said. Among celebrities who participated in the parade were gay icon Molly Meldrum and deputy federal Australian Democrats leader Natasha Stott Despoja. Other participants took a swipe at John Laws as they wheeled shopping baskets along Oxford Street asking for donations in a send-up of the cash-for-comment affair. Ambulance personnel treated at least two parade participants, and plenty of cut feet from broken bottles among spectators. Police said later there were no major incidents, with few arrests even for minor offences. -- ********************************* Make the Hunger Site your homepage! http://www.thehungersite.com/index.html ********************************* ------------------------------------------------------- RecOzNet2 has a page @ http://www.green.net.au/recoznet2 and is archived at http://www.mail-archive.com/ To unsubscribe from this list, mail [EMAIL PROTECTED], and in the body of the message, include the words: unsubscribe announce or click here mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20announce This posting is provided to the individual members of this group without permission from the copyright owner for purposes of criticism, comment, scholarship and research under the "fair use" provisions of the Federal copyright laws and it may not be distributed further without permission of the copyright owner, except for "fair use." 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