Sydney was awash with glitter makeup and loud rainbow outfits as thousands took part in the 42nd annual Mardi Gras parade.
The celebrations kicked off to the very familiar sound of motorbikes.
Ripping down Oxford Street to the cheers of thousands, the Dykes on Bikes have been opening the parade since 1988 as one of the country’s original LGBTIQ+ groups.
They were followed by 191 floats and thousands of dancers, representing a number of community groups and public services, all making their way down the iconic street.
Jack Williams, from the NSW Central Coast, took part on behalf of the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association Dance College.
“Mardi Gras is gay Christmas, it’s one day of the year everybody can be everybody,” he told SBS News.
Drag queen Tyler K. Hunt has been attending Mardi Gras celebrations since the age of 17.
“Today is about acceptance... being accepted in Australia,” Hunt said.
Sisters Kerry and Tracey Myers took part in honour of their family members.
Sisters Kerry and Tracey Myers. Source: SBS News/Ilias Bakalla
“I’m here in honour of my son who is in a pretty dark place at the moment,” Ms Myers said.
“I’m here for my 11-year-old grandson who is transgender,” her sister Kerry added.
The theme for this year’s festival is ‘What Matters’, and it is all about encouraging people to ask themselves what they believe in and what they are willing to fight for.
This year’s hosts Narelda Jacobs and Joel Creasey reflected on what this year’s theme meant to them.
“I think what matters most is our hearts, and to take care of each other’s hearts – love really is love, and that’s going to be on show tonight,” Ms Jacobs said.
Participants on motorcycles take part in the 42nd annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade in Sydney. Source: AAP
“Bringing our community together and showing we are just like everyone else – but we do know how to throw a great parade and party, we are very good at that,” Mr Creasey added.
NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer Sarah Paterson was one of about 80 RFS members letting their hair down after the punishing bushfire season.
"I missed Christmas and New Years Eve because I was fighting fires, so this is like Christmas to me," she said.
"My uncle Malcolm - most people would know him as Michelle - was involved with the original '78ers so being at Mardi Gras has a personal connection for me as well."
The Sydney Mardi Gras commemorates the '78ers, a group of protesters who were arrested and beaten by police when they tried to march as part of international gay celebrations back in 1978.
Sisters Laura and Jacinda Purcell from Penrith have been coming to the festival for years but it's their first time marching in the parade.
"I've been coming to Mardi Gras every year since I was 14," Laura said.
"We just love everything about it - that feeling of being accepted by everyone."
They were joined by other revellers from interstate, and even some from overseas.
Volunteer firefighters taking part in Sydney's 42nd annual Mardi Gras parade. Source: AAP
James Cowin and George Stephan travelled from Brisbane to march in the parade.
"We came last year and it was amazing," said Mr Cowin.
"It's such a positive experience but it also highlights such important issues," Mr Stephan said.
Wade Young marched in the parade as part of a group Cosplay Out Of The Closet.
"This is the first time we've marched in the parade and we can't wait to see what sort of reception we get," he said.
Parade creative director Kat Hopper said this year’s theme seeks to stoke debate around social justice, trans rights, sustainability, climate change and love.
Grammy Award-winning UK singer Sam Smith will headline the afterparty alongside American pop performer Kesha and Brazilian drag queen Pablo Vittar.
The parade has drawn a high-visibility police presence, with the riot squad assisted by officers on horseback and members of the sniffer dog unit.
Additional reporting from AAP.
