Bursting with pride 🏳️‍🌈

To say “we were there” when the 43rd world famous Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras took over the Sydney Cricket Ground is an incredible honour.

Forty buddies made their way round the iconic stadium, dancing and brandishing our ‘rise’ message to 30,000 spectators and thousands of others watching on TV.

To those who joined us, along with our supporters and those who sent us positive vibes during the night, we can’t thank you enough.

We had three roaming photographers and videographers marching with us on Saturday. As you may imagine, their cameras were busy throughout the procession and collecting, editing and uploading their handiwork takes time. Please keep an eye on our social media channels throughout the week as we’ll be informing people that our Mardi Gras footage is ready to be viewed.

In the meantime, here’s some photos we uploaded earlier.

To see all the snaps we’ve uploaded thus far from Saturday’s Mardi Gras, click here.

“I’d do it again!”

Following Saturday’s momentous Mardi Gras parade we reached out to supporters, asking for their views on the occasion. Here’s what some of you had to say:

“Thanks Gig Buddies for supporting our young people so they could be part of an amazing Sydney event! A celebration of diversity, dance, music and friends!” - Alison

“Just think 5 years ago we started this project with a $20,000 grant from the City of Sydney & here we are marching onto the SCG at Mardi Gras!” - Carol

“What a brilliant night. Thank you!” - Kathy

“What a fantastic opportunity - thank you for making it happen! Hopefully (it) also opened many eyes to those who have to work a little harder to be included” - Anna

“I really enjoyed walking in the march! (It) was a great and fun time making new friends as well! Can’t wait ’til next year” - Andrew

“It was really amazing to march and support LGBTQI+ rights’. It meant so much to me. I’d do it again” - Ella

“Wow wow wow! I never ever thought I’d be part of the Mardi Gras Parade. I thought about it, dreamt about it, but didn’t ever think that dream would come true - but it did. Being part of something special where difference is celebrated meant the absolute world to me. Having the crowd cheer us on and seeing everyone in our float have fun made my night. Saturday night made me realise that having a disability is something to be proud of not ashamed of. This was such a surreal moment for me and I’m going to remember this night for the rest of my life and I’ll always hold it close to my heart. I am brave, I am bruised, this is who I’m meant to be, this is me!” - Joni

“Mardi Gras is truly an experience like no other. Being on that ground feeling the insane energy of the crowd is something that will stay with me for the rest of my life” - Jack

"On Saturday night Gig Buddies took part in their first ever Mardi Gras . The vibe was amazing and everyone was so excited. Some of us met at the office to get our make up done . We then all travelled to the SCG . When we were in the SCG it was amazing having the high energy in the air . It was so much fun and such a great opportunity to perform and celebrate what Gig Buddies do . Thanks Gig Buddies Sydney for an amazing night" - Tahli

Choose To Challenge

Today is International Women’s Day and to mark the occasion we #ChooseToChallenge

A challenged world is an alert world. Individually, we're all responsible for our own thoughts and actions - all day, every day.

We can all choose to challenge and call out gender bias and inequality. We can all choose to seek out and celebrate women's achievements. Collectively, we can all help create an inclusive world.

From challenge comes change.

From a Gig Buddies Sydney perspective, we stand to challenge gender bias and inequality - and we choose to seek out and celebrate women’s achievements.

Specifically, we want to say thank you to the more than 300 women who have helped us create an inclusive world. They’ve made a lasting impact on improving social inclusion for people with disabilities.

Gigs, gigs, gigs

Last week we announced our plans for the rest of March - and tickets to our two brunch gatherings and our first ever ‘night at the museum’ event are selling fast.

If you’d like to join us in Watsons Bay, Alexandria or the CBD click on the links below:

- Friday 12/3: MCA Late @ Museum of Contemporary Art, The Rocks: 5 - 9pm

- Saturday 20/3: Gig Buddies Sydney brunch in the park @ Robertson Park, Watsons Bay: 11am - 1pm

- Saturday 27/3: Gig Buddies Sydney brunch in the park @ Sydney Park, Alexandria: 11am - 1pm

The gigs listed above are limited to 25 people per event. All are free to attend and, in the interest of fairness and to ensure we connect with as many of you as possible, we ask that buddies attend one event only.

If you have any questions or would like more information about our March events, send us an email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org, get in touch on Facebook Messenger or contact us via text or on the phone on 0422 061 990.

Stadium life

As for this week’s online offering, we invite buddies to ‘talk the talk’ with us.

Following Saturday’s Mardi Gras outing at the Sydney Cricket Ground, we’re inviting buddies to join us on Zoom and tell us about their favourite stadium experience. It could be from a music concert or a sporing fixture - or it could be about a dream event that’s never happened but you’d pay money to witness. The options are endless - and we actively encourage attendees to bring along video links, photos or anything that brings a smile.

To join us for ‘talk the talk’ click on the link below:

Friday 12/3

- 4pm: Gig Buddies Sydney 'talk the talk'

All online games will take place via Zoom. For information on how to use Zoom, load up the following easy read guide written by Learning Disability Wales. Alternatively, click here to check out our 'how to use Zoom' video.

If you have any questions or would like more information, send us an email: info@gigbuddiessydney.org, get in touch on Facebook Messenger or contact us via text or on the phone on either 0422 061 990 or 0412 145 819.

Another awesome foursome

This week’s new pairings come courtesy of Nick and Paul (top, L - R), Alex and Toby (middle, L - R), Anushka and Kirstie (bottom, L - R) and Simon and Alastair (not pictured).