A message from Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras CEO Albert Kruger:

If 2021 was about adapting, 2022 was about uniting – after over two years of the pandemic, closed borders, restrictions, and rescheduled events it was finally time to bring everyone together again to shine. Although the pandemic continued to pose challenges for the Festival, we saw the return of some of the community’s favourite events – Fair Day, Kaftana Pool Party, Laneway, Queer Art After Hours, Laugh Out Proud Paradiso Pool Party and Sissy Ball. Not to mention coming together once more at a sold-out Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for Parade.

This year we also saw the true impact of our ‘Always On’ vision – launching our podcast, submitting our Reconciliation Action Plan, unveiling the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and more – proving to our communities and the world that Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is here, year-round. We announced in October 2021 that the Parade would return to the SCG once more – it was a decision we did not make lightly. It was necessary however, as we were in the midst of evolving restrictions and uncertainty. Our main goal was to ensure everyone’s safety and that the Parade was able to operate within whatever restrictions may be in place in March 2022.

While Party fell victim to the unexpected wave of restrictions in January 2022, the community rose to the occasion delivering world-class events across the city to celebrate Parade weekend in true Mardi Gras style.

I’m proud to present to you the 2022 Annual Report, available to read here.