The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is preparing a new three-year strategic plan and has opened a short window for community feedback. The organisation describes the proposal as a foundations-focused plan intended to strengthen how it operates so it can better serve and represent the people who make Mardi Gras possible. Community members, volunteers, partners and allies are being asked to read a simplified version of the strategy and to respond through the Community Consultation Survey before the consultation deadline of Friday, May 1.
That invitation sits alongside a recognition of Mardi Gras’ history: since 1978 the event has been shaped by the people who attend, organise and protest. From the streets to the stages, the festival has always been more than a parade; it is a space where identity, politics and joy converge. As the organisation looks ahead to its 50th anniversary in 2028, the planning process aims to honour that heritage while building structures to sustain future festivals, including the lead-up through to the 2029 festival.
Why this plan matters
The team frames the work around the simple but powerful idea: “Our Joy is Power”. This phrase positions celebration as a form of activism and as a visible way to create connection and change. In practical terms, the strategic plan is meant to improve governance, decision-making and the systems that support the festival so Mardi Gras can continue to be both a cultural highlight and a platform for social justice. Strengthening these foundations is described as essential for delivering safe, inclusive events and for sustaining the organisation through shifting social and funding landscapes.
Core commitments in the three-year strategy
What the plan prioritises
The draft identifies five central commitments: clarifying Mardi Gras’ role as both a cultural celebration and an activist platform; making space for joy, protest and safety to coexist; building financial sustainability that aligns with stated values; investing in staff, volunteers and community capacity; and improving how the organisation listens and communicates. Each point is presented to guide operational change—new policies, resourcing and accountability mechanisms—so the festival can meet both celebratory and urgent community needs without compromising on values or safety.
Preparing for the milestone years
Organisers stress that planning for major commemorations will be collaborative rather than predetermined. They have intentionally kept current details deliberately light so the 50th can be shaped with genuine community partnership. More detailed planning will be shared in May/June 2026, allowing time for consultation to inform decisions. That phased approach aims to ensure that the 2028 anniversary programming and related activities reflect broad input and a sustainable model for delivery through to the 2029 festival.
How to read the plan and take part
To make feedback manageable and meaningful, Mardi Gras has published a simplified version of the strategy as a starting point. The organisation is inviting responses from across the community—LGBTQIA+SB people, members, volunteers, partners, allies and supporters—on topics such as the role Mardi Gras should play in society, priorities for safety and inclusion, expectations around ethics, partnerships and funding, and how the organisation can better communicate and listen. Respondents are also asked to say what success would look like for the 50th anniversary in 2028 and to name the one change they would make. The consultation can be completed through the Community Consultation Survey before the closing date of Friday, May 1.
What happens next
Feedback will be used to refine the strategy, increase transparency and make the plan more accessible and responsive to community needs. Mardi Gras has emphasised that it expects a diversity of views and is looking for respectful, honest and constructive feedback to shape future decisions. By contributing, community members help set priorities for governance, programming and safety and play a direct role in how the festival evolves toward its milestone celebrations. Those who want updates or wider community coverage can follow official channels for announcements and the detailed planning due in May/June 2026.