Mardi Gras goes off with a bang

Leading with scantily clad Chief of Parade Amanda Lepore draped over the back of a convertible Mercedes, the 2010 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade made its way up Oxford Street on Saturday night, cheered on by an elated crowd.

Boasting 135 floats and more than 9,500 participants, this year’s parade drew in a colourful mix of organisations such as the Gender Centre and Sydney Leather Pride Association, as well as thousands of individuals out to express their appreciation for queer diversity.

The theme was History of the World, looking at gay history throughout the ages and the people who helped shape queer culture as we know it. Rocco D’Amore and Minnie Cooper marched directly behind Amanda Lepore, closely followed by Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard's gay-friendly twins and a rollcall of queer historical figures.

Time Out was front and centre of all the action, bringing you our Best of Mardi Gras 2010 slideshow.

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