TRAVEL - Why Sydney? And for a great video experience of the city just click here.
It is hard to envisage a city that's more gay than Sydney. This city wears its queer heart on its sleeve. Let's look at a few facts:
Going nuts every year over the New Year fireworks is pretty gay in itself, but to go the whole hog by dangling a giant mirror ball from the top of the Harbour Bridge (see right). Well, that's positively fruity.
We suspect that when Baron de Coubertin instituted the modern Olympic Games he envisaged the cultivation of manly virtues. Little did he realise that when Sydney got hold of the games they would make its centrepiece Kylie Minogue held aloft ona giant thong by surf lifesavers in bulge-hugging speedos. Gay.
Most cities can't muster much of a lesbian scene. We have entire suburbs of girls who like girls, from Newtown to Leichhardt (known as Dyke-heart)
Even when the macho world of rugby arrived in town for the Rugby World Cup Sydney responded by putting up floral displays around town - "The Rugby Pansies". Again, the gays are clearly in charge.
When travelling to other cities the supporters of Sydney Football Club have been known to get the odd homophobic taunt. Instead of cowering or protesting their masculinity the (mainly straight) Sydney supporters have been known to respond in song with the classic "We're here, we're queer, we drink a lot of beer."
So if you're gay and you haven't visited Sydney we think you're missing out. Sydney isn't perfect but when we travel around the world we are struck by how well-adjusted a city this is.
We'd love to share it with you. Learn more about this capitvating city at Sydney.com.
There is a change to our Parade Route this year so we'd advise you to take a look at our Parade Route map.
The parade route has changed from previous years and will now begin at Whitlam Square. It continues up Oxford Street and turns right into Flinders Street at Taylor Square, as in previous
years.
The route has also been lengthened at its end point at Moore Park.
The overall length of the Parade route is 2.4 km.
VIEWING
Due to changes in the Parade Route, viewing areas have also changed.
There will be no viewing possible from Hyde Park, Liverpool Street or surrounds.
Oxford Street and Flinders Street provide great viewing positions for the Parade, however, the Moore Park end of Flinders Street will have much more space than previous years and is an
ideal location for viewing.
TRANSPORT
Road closures will be in place around the Parade route from as early as 3:00pm.
Detailed information can be found at www.rta.nsw.gov.au
Public transport services are highly recommended due to road closures and parking difficulties.
Call the Transport Line on 131500 or visit www.131500.com.au for further information.
Please note the Museum Station will close at 5pm on Parade day. Central, Town Hall and St. James stations should be used for train access. Some bus routes will be affected but all buses
will start and finish at their normal destinations.
SAFETY
Our volunteer Parade officials are there to provide assistance and maintain the safety of the Parade. Please follow their instructions and directions.
Glass bottles and milk crates are not permitted along the Parade Route.
We recommend that you eat beforehand and wear comfortable shoes.
Oxford Street will be an alcohol-free zone between Wentworth Avenue and Greens Road.
Stay alert at all times and take care of yourself and your friends.
