Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has called on the community to help shape the future of Australia’s largest LGBTQ+ festival.
Posting to social media, the organisation revealed it is currently developing a three-year strategic plan and wants to hear from the community.
“This new plan sets the direction for 2026–2029 and lays the foundations for our 50th anniversary,” it read.
“It reflects where we are today as an organisation, the challenges and opportunities ahead, and the role we believe Mardi Gras can play in community and society.”
The plan is shaped across four strategic pillars: Festival & Community, Sustainability, Learning & Growth, and Connection & Insight.
“At its heart is a simple idea – “Our Joy is Power” – which recognises that our joy — collective, defiant and grounded in community — is not separate from activism, but one of our strongest tools for change.”
As part of the plan, the organisation has released a simplified version for the public to read ahead of providing feedback.
Details on the 50th anniversary are “intentionally light at this stage”, but the organisation said that work is already underway.
In the simplified plan, Mardi Gras says its vision for itself is “A future where LGBTQIA+SB people across Australia have real self-determination, are free from harm and enjoy equal rights in every part of life – with Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi GRas recognised as a role model to the world for how joy, protest and community power can transform society.”
The organisation says it wants to position itself to show “Our joy – collective, defiant and grounded in community truth – is not a distraction from the fight for self-determination, freedom from harm and equal rights, but one of our strongest tools, showing Australia and the world what it looks like when we are safe, visible and in charge of our own stories.”
The strategic plan comes off the back of a year of controversy for the organisation, including the cancellation of the main After Party, the banning of protest group Pride in Protest from the parade, and the standing down of two board directors.
Mardi Gras members are encouraged to read the strategic plan and share their thoughts via the link on Mardi Gras’ social media.
