The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras route has been added to the National Heritage Register.
The protesters, now known as the 78ers, who marched along Oxford Street with the rallying cry of “out of the bars and onto the streets” have been recognised by the Federal Government.
The two-kilometre Mardi Gras route through inner Sydney has been added to the National Heritage Register, just days before the 48th parade on Saturday.
“It’s a real day to celebrate, not just for Sydney’s gay and lesbian community but for all Australians,” said Minister for the Environment Murray Watt.
Watt said there were only 120 heritage sites in Australia and this listing showed the importance of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Some of those sites include the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru, the Sydney Opera House and the Great Ocean Road.
“This listing is a rare honour and it recognises the important cultural value that the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has played in the development of Australia’s cultural life and of course the rights of Australia’s LGBTQIA community.”
The listing traces the approximate path of the first march by protesters back in 1978, as well as the contemporary route along Oxford Street.
According to the NSW Government, that approximate path in 1978 started at Taylor Square before heading to Hyde Park and ending in Kings Cross.
The contemporary route starts in Hyde Park and goes along Oxford Street, into Flinders Street and Anzac Parade before ending at Moore Park.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe said she was thrilled about the listing and wanted to acknowledge the original 78ers who made it happen.
“I just really want to acknowledge those from 1978 that took the steps so that people like me and others can stand on their shoulders and see the reforms that we’ve seen over almost 50 years,” she said.
That protest, organised by the Gay Solidarity Group back in 1978, was intended to be a peaceful demonstration against oppression and discrimination.
But it didn’t stay peaceful, with authorities clashing with protesters and arresting 53 LGBTQ activists, which NSW Police formally apologised for in 2016.
Federal Member for Sydney Tanya Plibersek said the consequences for those who spoke up were severe.
“The consequences for those 78ers were extreme, they were so brave to march and demand equality in 1978,” she said.
“That fight for equality for almost half a century has fundamentally changed our country. So much has been achieved because of the bravery and activism of those people.”
One of the 78ers, Dianne Minnis, said she could never have imagined recognition on this level in those early days.
“Who would have thought that 48 years ago this would have been happening,” she said.
“This is a huge day for us and it helps amplify the fact that Mardi Gras is a beacon for people around the country.”
Businesses along the route are unlikely to be impacted by the listing, likewise any maintenance changes are unlikely to impact any heritage values, said Senator Watt.
“We think it’s very unlikely that road works, or maintenance of those sorts of activities would fall foul of our national environmental laws,” he said.
But what it does offer is the ability for Mardi Gras organisers to apply for federal grants, Senator Watt said.
“I’m sure the organisers will be happy to know that this listing also enables the Mardi Gras Parade to apply for Australian heritage grants so I expect to see an application probably tomorrow.”
