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A poster advertising "day of international gay solidarity", pink with a red butterfly design, dates and times
Poster for the first Mardi Gras in Sydney, 1978, designed by Chris Jones.(Supplied: Ken Davis)

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A black-and-white image of four women, standing shoulder-to-shoulder, if front of a banner reading "gay solidarity group"
A more traditional daytime protest march preceded the first Mardi Gras that night. (Supplied: Sallie Colechin)

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A man smiles in a crowd, holding a beer, next to another man dressed as a pope
Some marchers wore costumes and make-up.(Supplied: Branco Gaica)

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A woman is photographed in black-and-white on the ground as police officers grab one arm and protesters grab the other.
Robyn Plaister (centre) is photographed by the media as she scuffles with police.(Supplied: News Corp)

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In a black-and-white photo, a large crowd stands at the door of the police station
People gathered outside Darlinghurst Police Station in support of the marchers who were arrested.(Supplied: Branco Gaica)

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People dance on a float
People dance on one of the many floats.(ABC News: Kevin Nguyen)
Two women
Two women soak up the Mardi Gras atmosphere.(ABC News: Kevin Nguyen)
A woman smiles
A woman dances as part of the Trans Pride Australia float at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.(ABC News: Kevin Nguyen)

  • Reporting and research: Paul Donoughue, Alex Palmer, Chloe Brice
  • Interviews: Mon Schafter 
  • Video production: Tejas Bhat, Jack Fisher
  • Editing: Gina McKeon, Mark Doman
  • Design and 3D modelling: Alex Palmer
  • Development: Matthew Heffernan, Andrew Hystek-Dunk, Katia Shatoba 
  • Images: Sallie Colechin, Branco Gaica, News Corp, Kevin Nguyen
  • Archival footage of 1978 Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras: Scenes from the film Witches and Faggots, Dykes and Poofters - © Producer Digby Duncan Australia 1980
  • With thanks to: Bec Annetts, Linton Besser, Angela Stengel, Darcy Watt, Michelle Baddiley

Posted , updated 
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