Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras in Administration

The Sydney Gay and lesbian mardi Gras, one of the oldest gay pride organisations in the world has been placed int he hands on an Adminsrator this morning due to rising debt and no way out of their current financial situation

The Mardi Gras organisation was formed in 1978 after a group of protesters marched in Sydney to protest against the State Government and to bear witness to the Stonewall riots in New York. Over the next several years the organisation commenced as a public poitical organisation to promote gay rights and then in the early 1980's to educate and warn the general and Gay & lebian communities about HIV / AIDS.

Mardi Gras is probably best known for hostingthe world's largest gay Pride Parade and Parties each March and the smaller Sleaze ball in October at the old Sydney Show Grounds - now the Fox Studios. But it is also a tireless campaigner for the rights of gays and lesbians, people living with HIV / AIDS, an educator for safe sex and a fundraiser for community organisations.

The downturn in travel since September 11 saw much fewer party goers to this years Parade and Party which both lost money and have severely damanaged the future of this once fine organisation.

Mardi Gras is currently seeking a financial backer to provide in excess of $400,000 AUD to ensure that it continues, and had asked all it's members and supporters to help with financial contributions in June of this year. After an anonymous contributer backed out last week to provide a loan for the organisation (due to some conditions not being met), the Administrators have been called in to help restructure the organisation and see if it can continue. The contributor had requested that the mardi Gras directors and Office Holders personally guarantee the loan, which they have refused to do.

Can Mardi Gras be saved?

The question of why the office holders and directors would not guarantee the loan is one which I must ask. If they truly believed that it was a loan and the organisation could fulfill it's financial obligations this should have been a no brainer. But I suspect that the office holders and directors know that the organisation in it's current structure cannot run profitably and the loan repayments would be defaulted.

Does Mardi Gras Still have a role?

The question that everyone is aksing is does Mardi Gras still have a role after nearly 25 years of being an outspoken and at time over the top organisation. The answer is simple enough - YES. While there is still inequality and people are still being villified for their sexuality organisations like Mardi Gras must continue to fight for our rights to have equal relationships and be free of persecution. Just because we live in a "free" society doesn't mean that we are not persecuted.

If you would like to help Mardi Gras you can visit their website to make a donation or join - http://www.mardigras.com.au.

2:10:00 PM