Vile moment religious protesters shout ‘go to hell’ at gay and lesbian community before Mardi Gras parade – as wild celebrations begin across Sydney
- Protesters rally ahead of Sydney Mardi Gras celebrations on Saturday
- Demonstrators gathered at Taylor Square on Oxford Street just after midday
- Activists protested the federal government’s religious discrimination bill
- An opposing group reportedly shouted at protests they would ‘go to hell’
Hundreds of gay rights activists were told to ‘go to hell’ by religious hardliners demonstrating against a Sydney Mardi Gras rally ahead of Saturday night’s parade.
LGBTQIA+ campaigners gathered at Taylor Square on Sydney’s Oxford Street just after midday to protest against the federal government’s religious discrimination bill.
The group also called for the decriminalisation of sex work in all states, an end to mandatory detention and leave for workers who are transitioning.
Hundreds of protesters have gathered to rally for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras ahead of Saturday night’s parade (pictured)
LGBTQIA+ activists gathered at Taylor Square on Sydney’s Oxford Street just after midday on Saturday
People rally for LGBTQI Rights at Taylor Square ahead of the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade (pictured)
Activists rallied against legislative and political attacks on LGBTQIA+ rights (pictured)
A small opposing group reportedly told protesters they would ‘go to hell’ but were quickly moved on by police, according to The Daily Telegraph.
‘Last year, I and thousands of others marched down Oxford Street to affirm that Mardi Gras is and always will be a protest,’ Wei Thai-Haynes, one of the protest’s organiser’s said in a statement.
‘Our fight is not over while the bigots in Parliament continue their disgusting attacks on my community.’
The group also called for the decriminalisation of sex work in states which require it, an end to mandatory detention and transition leave at workplaces for trans staff (pictured, members of the LGBTQIA+ protest in Oxford Street on Saturday)
Demonstrators rallied against the federal government’s religious discrimination bill on Saturday (pictured)
Protesters gathered on Oxford Street ahead of the 44th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras at the Sydney Cricket Grounds
NSW Police said a section of Oxford Street was closed between Taylor Square and Hyde Park due to a planned police operation.
Oxford Street has since reopened in both directions.
The 44th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will be held at the Sydney Cricket Grounds for the second year in a row, in line with Covid-19 rules.
Revellers have already begun to arrive at the grounds as celebrations kicked off from 4pm.
More than 6,500 marchers and 160 floats are expected to light up the SCG with musicians Darren Hayes, Vanessa Amorosi and The Wiggles set to headline.
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