Wow this year Mardi Gras is causing quite the stir and not for the reasons you would normally expect. The word is a predominantly queer float is excluded from the parade with spots going to corporate sponsors and religious groups like the Raelians, yes guys that quirky religion that believes in UFOs and that mankind was created in an alien laboratory.
This year the Animal Liberation’s float that would have read “Chicks and cocks agree, set the hens free!” which is predominantly made up of LGBT participants was excluded from the march while the Raelians got a place. WTF??? According to the Mardi Gras organisers the Animal Liberation’s float was not included because of space and not being queer enough. Now why do the Raelians get to march? Because their float bears the message “UFOs bring love” obviously they haven’t seen Independence Day!!!
Okay so last year they may have ruffled feathers with their float “Cows are cool, leather is cruel.” It seems like a bunch of queers marching for the rights of animals is less relevant. Last I heard the march was about bringing awareness to issues that the LGBT community faces or feel passionate about.
It has also been reported by The Scavenger. that IKEA paid actors to pose in a past Mardi Gras float, stating that at least six actors , who were not required to be of the LGBT or have any affiliation with the community were paid $300 to participate in the 2008 Mardi Gras parade.
Don’t get me wrong putting on something like the Mardi Gras parade is not cheap and I’m all for the occasional corporate float, but I personally find it very concerning when the organisers are excluding the queers and giving spots to big corporate businesses and religions. When you start picking and choosing which queers can march you’re walking a very fine line.
Now, as commercialism seems to be taking centre-stage at Mardi Gras, you have to wonder what role the organisation is playing in the gay community, is it still fighting for equal rights? Has the LGBT community become mere puppets while the Government and corporations yank on the strings? One has to wonder these questions when the government invests in Mardi Gras to boost tourism numbers, but still refuses to grant us the simple human right of equality.
If this is the case. I say fuck the parade keep the party!
QIT xox
What are your views?
[source]
Ahhhh the parade is what attracts millions of international tourist's, which create's a massive influx of monetary profit into the LGBT community of Australia, Literally billions of dollars is spent. I do on the other hand disagree with removing the float's in question, but without continued support from donator's and fundraising, it is virtually impossible to keep the parade afloat… I think the board of directors need's to be re-evaluated, if there not making enough money, particularly for Australia's biggest annual LGBT party, then they need to fire the chief of fundraising. It wouldn't be that difficult to get sponsorship for THE event of the year, especially from the Aus Government because of the economic revenue it generates, then something is seriously wrong if they are selling out to corporate cheque book 'sponsorship'… Ditch the underlying problem, it's come from above. Greed from the board could well be the issue here.
Ahhhh the parade is what attracts millions of international tourist's, which create's a massive influx of monetary profit into the LGBT community of Australia, Literally billions of dollars is spent. I do on the other hand disagree with removing the float's in question, but without continued support from donator's and fundraising, it is virtually impossible to keep the parade afloat… I think the board of directors need's to be re-evaluated, if there not making enough money, particularly for Australia's biggest annual LGBT party, then they need to fire the chief of fundraising. It wouldn't be that difficult to get sponsorship for THE event of the year, especially from the Aus Government because of the economic revenue it generates, then something is seriously wrong if they are selling out to corporate cheque book 'sponsorship'… Ditch the underlying problem, it's come from above. Greed from the board could well be the issue here.
Ahhhh the parade is what attracts millions of international tourist's, which create's a massive influx of monetary profit into the LGBT community of Australia, Literally billions of dollars is spent. I do on the other hand disagree with removing the float's in question, but without continued support from donator's and fundraising, it is virtually impossible to keep the parade afloat… I think the board of directors need's to be re-evaluated, if there not making enough money, particularly for Australia's biggest annual LGBT party, then they need to fire the chief of fundraising. It wouldn't be that difficult to get sponsorship for THE event of the year, especially from the Aus Government because of the economic revenue it generates, then something is seriously wrong if they are selling out to corporate cheque book 'sponsorship'… Ditch the underlying problem, it's come from above. Greed from the board could well be the issue here.
Ahhhh the parade is what attracts millions of international tourist's, which create's a massive influx of monetary profit into the LGBT community of Australia, Literally billions of dollars is spent. I do on the other hand disagree with removing the float's in question, but without continued support from donator's and fundraising, it is virtually impossible to keep the parade afloat… I think the board of directors need's to be re-evaluated, if there not making enough money, particularly for Australia's biggest annual LGBT party, then they need to fire the chief of fundraising. It wouldn't be that difficult to get sponsorship for THE event of the year, especially from the Aus Government because of the economic revenue it generates, then something is seriously wrong if they are selling out to corporate cheque book 'sponsorship'… Ditch the underlying problem, it's come from above. Greed from the board could well be the issue here.
Ahhhh the parade is what attracts millions of international tourist's, which create's a massive influx of monetary profit into the LGBT community of Australia, Literally billions of dollars is spent. I do on the other hand disagree with removing the float's in question, but without continued support from donator's and fundraising, it is virtually impossible to keep the parade afloat… I think the board of directors need's to be re-evaluated, if there not making enough money, particularly for Australia's biggest annual LGBT party, then they need to fire the chief of fundraising. It wouldn't be that difficult to get sponsorship for THE event of the year, especially from the Aus Government because of the economic revenue it generates, then something is seriously wrong if they are selling out to corporate cheque book 'sponsorship'… Ditch the underlying problem, it's come from above. Greed from the board could well be the issue here.