Sydney's Mardi Gras celebrates 30th birthday in style

Heading the 1.6 kilometre (1 mile) route was a group knownas the 78ers, who took part in the first Mardi Gras in 1978. Onthat occasion, what started out as a peaceful march ended inconfrontation with the police and several arrests.

"The 30th anniversary makes it extra special this year,"said Thomas Finnegan, 23, wearing a white mask and sequin-ladenleotard and taking part in his third Mardi Gras.

With a theme of "Brave New World", organisers wereexpecting up to 300,000 people to line the parade route.

Graeme Browning, the parade's director, said that while theevent's 30th birthday was cause for celebration, the fight foracceptance and equality continued.

"By now, people are starting to realise that being gay andlesbian is not just a phase we're going through," he said.

Around 250 formidable "Dykes on Bikes" kicked off thespectacle, revving up for a lap of the parade route before themain event got under way, in recognition of their 20-yearparticipation in the event.

Members of Australia's armed services took part in theparade for the first time. A group of ministers from variousreligions calling themselves 100 Revs also marched to apologisefor the past discrimination against gas and lesbians, a gesturesimilar to government's recent apology to Aborigines.

Honorary Chief of Parade was American comedian Margaret Chosaid she was excited to be a part of this year's events,especially with legendary singers Olivia Newton-John and CyndiLauper due to perform at the huge after-party.

"It's like a fag-hag summit," she said.

(Reporting by James Thornhill; Editing by Bill Tarrant)