I’ve never been to Mardi Gras. I’ve watched it many times on TV and had many friends who have marched. For me it comes back to the origins of Mardi Gras, about supporting inclusion and diversity, being present, having a voice and being seen.
As a lesbian with children, I am very aware of what people have done before me to make my life a lot easier.
I think that the visibility of gay people in the community is stronger in certain areas. I live in a regional community where there are a lot of gay, lesbian, transgender and queer people around. There are young people emerging, and I see more of that in public now. It fills me with a lot of love, heart and joy.
For me Mardi Gras is about people reflecting and saying we have a strong place in our community like everyone else.
A few friends were strongly campaigning for the Yes campaign for marriage equality in our area. I didn’t realise at the time how significant it would be for my family, and for my kids.
When the Yes vote came in, they were beside themselves with joy.
My partner and I are not married and we don’t intend to get married, but to know that it is now an option fills me with joy. The vote has put the word out in the community that there is no difference to my relationship of 26 years, and someone else’s relationship of 26 years. That felt good.
All relationships have their joys, their passions and their excitements, but they can also be tricky and messy, and you need to negotiate.
In terms of Mardi Gras, it’s big, it’s bold, it’s colourful! It’s a really important reminder of where we’ve come over the years since it began.