Gay soldiers to parade at Mardi Gras

Published: 7:25PM Friday February 29, 2008 Source: AAP

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Military personnel will be represented officially for the first time in Australia's flamboyant Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney.
  
Up to 80 soldiers, sailors, air force members and defence force employees will join in the street parade, which also marks the 30th anniversary of Sydney's now internationally renowned gay pride event.
  
Crowds of up to 300,000 people are again expected to line the central city route to watch the procession of themed floats, drag queens and other costumed or flesh-revealing revellers.
 
The procession up Oxford Street will include about 10,000 people, including the Australian Defence Force (ADF) contingent.
  
Defence Gay and Lesbian Information Service spokesman Squadron Leader Vince Chong said there had been overwhelming interest in taking part in the parade, and there was a real "air of excitement" surrounding their involvement.
  
"A lot of people would have participated anyway but under different banners," he said.
  
"They are pretty stoked they're able to represent their employer under the defence banner in the parade.
  
"It's historic. To our knowledge it is the first time it's been endorsed by the service chiefs and chief of defence."
 
The chiefs of the army, navy and air force, along with the chief of defence, gave approval for ADF personnel to take part in the mardi gras just days before last year's event, but after the cut-off date for parade entries.
  
Military personnel will not wear their uniforms during the march, but will walk behind a banner and wear T-shirts bearing the slogan Defence: Supporting Diversity.
  
Surf Life Saving Australia has also announced it will have an increased mardi gras presence this year.
  
"Gays and lesbians have literally been flocking to the beach over the past four months doing their Bronze Medallion, the qualification that enables them to become active lifesavers on Australian beaches," Lifesavers With Pride spokesman Drew Lambert says.
  
"The clubs we have a direct involvement with on Sydney's eastern beaches have recorded a doubling of candidates from the previous year."
  
Lambert said details of the lifesavers' float would not be revealed until Saturday night's parade, but "you can expect a lot more than last year, and in the case of swimwear, a lot less", he said.
  
The weather bureau's forecast for Saturday is for mostly fine but cool weather, but the maximum daytime temperature expected to reach just 21 degrees in the city.
  
The parade starts at 7.45 in the evening and its 1.6km route starts at the corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool streets.
  
The procession will head up Oxford Street before turning right into Flinders Street, to end at the Moore Park Road intersection about 10.30 at night.

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