Rain wasn't going to ruin Teresa Leggett's parade. It rained at her very first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 18 years ago, so it wouldn't have stopped her this year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thankfully, revellers have caught a reprieve for Mardi Gras' 44th installation on Saturday night with forecasts for rain slightly reduced ahead of storms on Sunday.
But Ms Leggett and her mates are ready if it does rain: they're in 100 per cent polyester Superman suits to celebrate last year's revelation the comic-book superhero was bisexual.
"We're really excited," Ms Leggett said.
Some of her parade group, named Happy Gay and Free, have bedazzled their outfits or crafted more risque versions of the Kryptonian's uniform.
Saturday night's parade will be held at the SCG for the second year in a row after it was moved off Oxford St in 2021 due to COVID-19 precautions.
It was a thrill for Ms Leggett when she emerged to a cheering, half-full stadium from the same grey tunnels used by footballers to enter the grounds.
"It's kind of like everyone is waiting for you," she said.
With a sold-out crowd this year, Ms Leggett is hoping her group and their float - a giant inflatable Superman - will get a big roar.
On Saturday afternoon protesters marched down the traditional Oxford St parade route, calling for an end to the Morrison government's religious freedoms bill.
Last month the federal government shelved controversial changes to religious and sex discrimination laws which included allowing schools to expel gay and transgender students.
Pride in Protest organiser Charlie Murphy said there was no guarantee the government wouldn't try to pass the legislation again, and protesters wanted to see the "Bigots' Bill" dead.
"Queer and trans people, queer and trans kids are being used as a political football," she said.
Ms Murphy won't be heading to Saturday night's parade, saying a ticketed event in a corporate space was against the spirit of Mardi Gras.
"It's the political spirit of advancing our community until the point that we have full liberation," she said.
"What we see in Canberra and what we see in our everyday lives shows we don't yet have that."
NSW Police have promised a highly visible presence for the weekend.
Parade revellers will see the return of former Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes, as well as performances by The Wiggles and solo artist Vanessa Amorosi.
Saturday's parade floats will also include firsts from Football Australia and the YMCA.
Australian Associated Press
