About the campaign
What is Protect Mardi Gras?
Protect Mardi Gras is a grassroots campaign by ordinary members of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. We believe Mardi Gras must remain inclusive, powerful, and unifying – a beacon for queer people here and around the world. We are organising to counter attempts to reshape Mardi Gras in ways that would make it smaller and exclude LGBTQIA+ police, politicians, sponsors, and others. Our aim is to protect what makes Mardi Gras effective: its visibility, its diversity, and its ability to bring together many voices in one parade.
Who is behind this campaign?
Peter Stahel and Peter Murphy are the co-founders and primary organisers. Read Peter Stahel’s blog for the story behind the campaign. It now has the help of volunteers, supporters and candidates for the Mardi Gras Board.
Are you affiliated with the official Mardi Gras organisation?
No. We are an informal group of ordinary members organising to ensure that Mardi Gras organisation remains inclusive, strong and unified.
What do you stand for?
We believe in an inclusive, visible and powerful Mardi Gras that brings together our many voices in one parade. We stand for unity over division, and strategic activism that builds alliances to protect queer lives. You can read our Statement of Principles here.
Why do you oppose Pride in Protest (PiP)?
We don’t oppose everything PiP stands for. We oppose the changes it wants to make to Mardi Gras to exclude certain groups and sponsors.
Is this campaign anti-protest or anti-radical queer activism?
No. Our foundation organisers are activists themselves. We have spent our lifetimes promoting queer liberation. However, we believe that the power of Mardi Gras comes from its inclusive, unified and visible nature.
Are you pro-police?
We are pro-police reform. All modern societies need police, but we are critical of both recent and historic police misconduct, discrimination and violence. However, we believe that it is important to celebrate and support the LGBTIQA+ police who are brave enough to be visible, as part of a broader strategy to reform the NSW Police.
Why do you include people like Peter Murphy, who was bashed by police in 1978, in a campaign that supports LGBTQIA+ police being in the parade?
Peter Murphy has spent decades challenging discrimination and violence from the police – he has witnessed the strategies that have worked and those that haven’t. He helped start Protect Mardi Gras because he is very worried that excluding the LGBTQIA+ police will take us backwards and reduce the influence of Mardi Gras.
About the threat / problem
What is entryism and how does it relate to Mardi Gras?
Entryism is when one group organises within another group in order to change its nature. Pride in Protest has been organising within Mardi Gras to elect board members and change its approach to police, military, politicians and sponsors since 2018. They now have two board members and are increasing their influence and ability to pass motions.
What exactly does Pride in Protest want to change?
Pride in Protest has varied aims as articulated on its blog and social media channels. Many are causes and issues that our group also cares deeply about. However, as they relate to Mardi Gras, these appear to be primarily about excluding people and groups.
Isn’t banning police just a way to make queer people feel safer?
Ultimately the way to make our community safer is to build alliances, reform homophobic and transphobic institutions and increase our political power and influence. The scale of the Mardi Gras parade is such that it would be extremely dangerous and not practical to have zero involvement from police. The narrower demand to exclude the LGBTQIA+ police float is a real threat to the Parade’s future because of the broader impact on the organisation, its strengths and culture.
Why is allowing police, sponsors, or politicians to march such a big deal?
Mardi Gras is not just a celebration – it’s a message to the world. When we include visible supporters from institutions, we demonstrate progress and build momentum for more change. Exclusion sends the opposite message, weakens our reach and shows that we are divisive – this will drive away participants and supporters.
Is this just a conservative pushback against progressive change?
No. Protect Mardi Gras is pushback against exclusion and bad political strategy.
Didn’t Mardi Gras already do a consultation on the police issue?
Protect Mardi Gras has concerns about the quality of the consultation and does not accept its findings.
Isn’t this just a debate about who gets to march – why so much fuss?
If police, sponsors and politicians are excluded, it threatens the scale, nature and power of the Mardi Gras – which is one of the most powerful protective and visible beacons for the LGBTIQA+ community worldwide.
About joining, voting and proxies
Why should I join or rejoin Mardi Gras now?
Because the future of Mardi Gras is on the line. Your vote will help decide whether we continue to build a unified and powerful beacon – or allow it to shrink and divide.
How do I check if I’m a current member?
You can check your status by logging into your Mardi Gras member portal or emailing the Mardi Gras office.
What’s the deadline to join or renew in order to vote at the AGM?
The cut-off date is usually six weeks before the AGM. We’ll post the confirmed date as soon as it’s announced.
Can I vote by proxy if I can’t attend the AGM in person?
Yes. You can assign your vote to someone else using the official proxy form. We can help guide you through the process if you wish. Sign up for updates.
How do I appoint a proxy and who should I give it to?
Fill out the Mardi Gras proxy form and nominate someone you trust – ideally a Protect Mardi Gras-aligned voter. We’ll provide suggested contacts closer to the AGM.
What is the AGM, and why does it matter so much this year?
The AGM (Annual General Meeting) is when motions are voted on and Board members elected. It’s how big changes get made – or stopped. This year, key decisions about police, politicians and sponsors may be on the table again as they have been every year since 2018.
Are you supporting candidates for the Board?
Yes. We believe the Board needs to reflect the broad, inclusive values of Mardi Gras – and we will be supporting diverse candidates who represent that vision.
What are the key motions we’ll be voting on?
We’ll publish our views on the final motions when they are released.
What does it mean to give someone your proxy? Will they vote how I want?
A proxy is someone who votes on your behalf. You can give them direction, or allow them to choose. Protect Mardi Gras will be transparent and provide information about how our organisers use proxies.
Do I need to be out or active in the community to join or vote?
No. Mardi Gras is for everyone. You don’t need to be out or politically active to have your voice count.
About inclusion and politics
Why do you want to keep Mardi Gras open to politicians and sponsors?
To win big battles we need big alliances. Political and corporate support have helped deliver real progress – from anti-discrimination laws to marriage equality. Mardi Gras has always mixed celebration with persuasion. Inviting new groups in who aren’t 100% with us aren’t mean we are capitulating , it means we are expanding and shifting influence.
Isn’t corporate involvement just pinkwashing?
Sometimes. But many sponsors walk the talk – providing resources, visibility, and support for queer staff and customers. We should push for better allies, not less allies.
Why are you defending institutions that have harmed queer people?
We’re not defending institutions, we’re supporting LGBTQIA+ people who are in any harmful institution. We’re demanding change – and that requires engagement. Visibility within institutions helps drive reform.
Can’t we have a more radical Mardi Gras or protest that rejects harmful institutions?
That’s definitely an option for those that support the idea. We’d probably attend ourselves! But Mardi Gras, as it stands, is a unifying space with huge reach. It complements – not competes with – other different types of activism. We want to protect that role.
Why is inclusion considered a form of resistance?
Homophobia and transphobia are fatally exclusionary and repressive. Including all LGBTQIA+ people and groups in the Parade is genuine resistance. Inviting others in – even those we disagree with on some issues – can shift culture and create allies. That’s how change happens. It’s not passive. It’s strategic. We treat people as future allies rather than enemies.
How do we balance safety for marginalised queers with inclusivity?
We must listen deeply and act thoughtfully. Inclusion doesn’t mean ignoring harm – it means holding space for both safety and growth. We strongly support reforms that increase accountability.
What do you say to people who have been hurt by police or other institutions you’re defending?
We see you. We believe you. And we want a world where your experiences lead to real change – not further division. Inclusion is one tool to achieve that.
Global and strategic context
How does this connect to broader global threats to LGBTQIA+ rights?
Around the world, anti-queer forces are gaining strength. Look at Trump, Putin, Orban and Bolsonaro. Mardi Gras is one of the few global platforms where our community is seen and celebrated. Weakening it helps no one.
What do you mean when you say Mardi Gras is a “global beacon”?
It’s one of the biggest queer events in the world. It sends a message to young people, allies, and adversaries alike: we are proud, united and not going anywhere.
Aren’t the people trying to ban police just trying to be principled and consistent?
Strategy matters. Good intentions don’t always lead to good outcomes. Mardi Gras must be inclusive and effective.
Why not let radical voices have their own pride event instead of trying to stop them?
They can – and many already do. We support the idea of multiple spaces. But Mardi Gras belongs to all of us. It must remain a space for broad, united visibility.
Is this just a generational divide between older and younger activists?
No. Our campaign includes young and old, radical and pragmatic. What unites us is the belief in inclusive strategy – not age.
Getting involved
What can I do to help the campaign?
Join or renew your membership, help spread the word, volunteer your time, or become a public supporter. Every bit counts.
Do I need to be a Mardi Gras member to support the campaign?
No – but members have the power to vote and shape decisions. If you can join, please do.
Can I share my own story as part of the campaign?
Yes. We’d love to hear from you. Real voices make this movement stronger.
How can I stay updated on the campaign?
Follow us on social media and sign up to receive updates at protectmardigras.org.
Can I donate to support the campaign?
Not at this stage. But your time, voice, and visibility are the most valuable contributions you can make. Depending on the trajectory of the campaign, our foundation organisers may need to try and recoup some costs with donations but not at this stage.