Founders cheered as Mardi Gras turns 30

http://news.smh.com.au/founders-cheered-as-mardi-gras-turns-30/20080301-1w0w.html

March 1, 2008 - 9:47PM

The "78ers", the original marchers who staged Sydney's inaugural Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 30 years ago, drew a rapturous cheer as they paused in central Oxford Street this evening.

Diane Minnis, who was among the group, said she never envisaged their original 1,500-strong protest march could morph into the multicoloured spectacle and celebration that continues into the early hours of the morning.

also see

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5goM3oF37rnPcnJ2GdX7BeE1YmSrAD8V4M61G0

Sydney Celebrates 30th Gay Mardi Gras

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — Around 300,000 revelers cheered as a sequins-sparkling, 10,000-strong parade sashayed down inner-city streets in Sydney's 30th annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

What began in 1978 as a protest march by 1,500 brave homosexual, lesbian and transsexual men and women that was harshly disbursed by police has grown into one of the world's largest and most flamboyant gay pride events.

and

http://gaysocialites.com/2008/03/gay_mardi_gras_brightens_up_sy.html

Posted on: March 01, 2008, 07:28:24 AM

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Parade of flaunt and flesh for Mardi Gras' 30th
March 2, 2008 - 12:00AM

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2008/03/01/1204227057506.html

The "78ers", the original marchers who staged Sydney's inaugural Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 30 years ago, drew a rapturous cheer as they paused in central Oxford Street last night.