Over 300,000 people turned out for the 40th Annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, a dazzling weekend of parades, partying, and, oh yeah, a performance by Cher. The diva sang some of her biggest club hits, including “Strong Enough,” “All or Nothing,” “Believe,” and, of course, “Turn Back Time.”
Of course, no LGBTQ celebration would be complete without lots and lots (and lots) of photos of hunky shirtless men dressed in skimpy little costumes.
Scroll down for pics…
Milton
Nothing but a gross display of hedonism and narcissism.
mujerado
I’ll bet you looked at every picture before offering your judgment. You knew coming in what it would be. If you’re so disapproving, why even bother?
Mmmrrrggglll
Exactly. Love it!
Milton
Lol yeh I did look at every photo at the hope at least one would prove me wrong but nah.
Why bother disapproving of my disapprovement? People are allowed to have their own opinion – my opinion is based not just on the photos but living 10 minutes away from the event which was once about fighting for equality and acceptance which now just re-enforces negative stereotypes.
fur_hunter
Milton……I am soon to be 73…and yes……we did fight for equality back in the day, right after Stonewall…and the fight continues. But it was because of the marching and fighting we did back then that is allowing these young men to be proud of who they are and NOT afraid to show it. THIS kind of parade could NEVER have happened when I was in college in the mid-60s. HELL NO! So, do not criticize what was fought so hard for back then that has FINALLY come into being.
Jaxton
Exactly. It’s all about “me, me, me”.
JaredMacBride
WTF is “disapprovement”?
mikeTigg
Yes it is a gross display of hedonism and narcissism and thank goodness for that!
reece99
Stuff it Milton. It wasn’t that long ago when people could be arrested and jailed for expressing themselves. You call them hedonists and narcissists, but what they really are is brave, happy people having fun at a festival. Public festivals have been around for ever, and most sponsored by religions. I don’t know how old you are, but you sound like you might be between 25 and 30, never lost friends to AIDS, and never was mugged, teased, or harassed for being gay. Get over it Milton, eventually we will absorbed and normalized and have trouble putting together a block party for LGBT friends. And that’s going to be a bore.
GayEGO
Oh come on! Don’t ya just love those guys perky butts? Yummy!
William Krzemien
You sure sound bitter! Jealous of all their beauty and fun they are having?
Jaxton
The Sydney Mardi Gras is a collection of feminized tragics and narcissists. It has no meaning anymore and is an insult to those who fought hard for same-sex rights many years ago.
Polaro
Bitter, bitter, bitter.
Bob LaBlah
This proves that no matter where in the world “we” are if the theme isn’t about literally showing our bare asses the gay media will not cover it. I know I am hoping against hope but before I pass on it would be nice to attend a pride parade where a few of the floats will be from science clubs, librarians, teachers……. to show that the 1969 riots were about acceptance of our minds and not private parts. This public display of near nudity by men who should be covered up has gotten sickening to the majority of us. Has anyone done a survey to get the opinions of gay men and how many of us feel that the pride celebrations have now hit the gutter in terms of needless, reckless displays of nudity and sexual innuendo?
Polaro
Seriously, are you ever happy?
Bob LaBlah
@Polaro…………..shhhh, and mind your manners. I’m almost sixty years old and I’m getting in my practice. I now even complain to the management when YOUR type hog up the elliptical machines at the gym. Oh, how nice it is to be an old man around young twinks, especially now that I’ve learned how to ward off their death ray glares and frowns with my force shied mouth and graying hair.
scotshot
@Bob LeBlah
I’m older than you are and I’m ever so happy that I didn’t evolve into the bitter old queen you are. There may be many years for you to live and the thought that you’re apparently happy with being a bitch – or trying to – is simply pathetic.
I’m not telling you to change, this is merely my opinion. I believe everyone should live the life they wish be it a bitter old queen or to be a young person who is able to celebrate their lives the way they wish.
Isn’t that what we fought for?
If seeing guys in feather headdresses or jock straps bothers you, don’t look at them.
If going to the gym and seeing young gays “hog up the elliptical machines” change gyms. I’m sure having young straight guys do the same thing will make life so much easier.
Want to see a celebration celebrating gays in suits and ties? Start your own group, join the Log Cabin Republicans or go to marches to support Trump – which didn’t turn out very well, did it?
If you’re going to bars and are tired of being ignored by younger guys, go to a bar that caters to old men I’m sure you’ll find someone with the same views – or stay home.
victim,
Bob LaBlah
@old man scotshot…………”I’m older than you are and I’m ever so happy that I didn’t evolve into the bitter old queen you are.”
Well good for you but with every second you grow older so be patient. And just out of curiosity have you had the fire-extinguisher themed birthday cake yet?
Listen, old man, your unasked for opinion of me sounds like pent-up frustration that you couldn’t wait for the comment to justify unleashing it on me. Only an idiot would take my comments seriously and if they do, that’s THEIR prerogative. Its a free country and Queerty does believe in freedom of speech. And no, I’m not going to join another gym only to realize that the same practice of hogging up the elliptical machines is even worse at an even greater monthly rate. I noticed at last months cross burning a younger leadership in place who might be a bit more reasonable than those old farts they just replaced so maybe, just maybe I can bypass their brothers, sisters and distant cousins that they disown over in the Log Cabin Republicans by being allowed to start my own…………………………..(to be continued).
Geeker
So it was yet another gay pride event where attention seeking exhibitionist go to get nearly naked for the cameras.
surreal33
I failed to see why tacky, near nude, men equal gay pride. It sad, lazy, narrative that long overdue to change.
Polaro
Yes, because we would all go to a parade to watch men in suits. Check yourself.
GayEGO
Love it! I was in Sydney in 1997 and had a great time there!
CarlIsle
What all the critics of the barely there outfits don’t understand is that they are an expression of freedom and a bold “fuck you” to all the puritans who think gay and lesbian people are ok as long as they keep quiet about it.