Facebook named as major partner for upcoming Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras
Facebook is the latest brand to come out as a sponsor of Sydney’s Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrations, and will also enter a float in the world-famous parade.
The social media giant has form in the area of gay rights activism, taking part in pride parades in the US and allowing people to put rainbow filters over their profile pictures when gay marriage laws were being passed across the world.
Mia Garlick, director of policy Australia New Zealand for Facebook and Instagram said: “Amongst the 14 million Australians who regularly use Facebook, the topic of marriage equality was one of the top 15 most mentioned topics on the site in 2015 – and around the world, more than 26 million people added a rainbow pride filter to their profile pictures.
“On Instagram, people used #PridePortraits to share their images of love, pride and family”.
On Tuesday Mumbrella revealed condom brand Ansell had usurped rival Durex for the key sexual health product category for the event.
Mardi Gras CEO Michele Bauer said Facebook’s support meant a lot to the organisation and the community “not just because of its size or reach, although those are wonderful benefits, but because of Facebook’s commitment to campaigns that spread messages of social justice”.
It is the first time Facebook has officially partnered with the festival which claims to have the biggest night time parade of its kind in the world, attracting 10,000 participants. The social network will have 50 people involved in the parade.
The partnership was brokered by Pink Media Group, whose managing director Ben Mulcahy said: “Like all Australians, LGBTIQ people have had their lives revolutionised by social media over the past decade.
“It has helped build and connect the community like never before. Facebook’s partnership is more than just an opportunity to get their brand in front of 250,000 spectators at the parade: it’s a great reminder of the power of social media and social movements to change lives.”
The Mardi Gras parade happens on March 5, while the festival contains other events including Fair Day on Sunday, February 21.
Alex Hayes
Equal marriage, supporting the French, Star Wars, Bowie – when can I remove the filters on my Facebook avatar?
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Brilliant to see Facebook setting a leading example for the festival. Great work Ben and team!
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Love it. I wonder if they will have high profile drag queen leading the float?
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Will Facebook take a stance on global warming, corrupt governments and lets also throw in powerful corporations, hell bent on starting wars and then meddling PR to make it seem that the victims are the instigators?
Why not get into further ethical issues facing the world today Facebook?
Well done all the same with this sponsorship.
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Also the rising situation of mental health with Lifeline recording the largest amount of contacts (1 million in 4 months) in it’s 52 year history attributing social media, with Facebook being especially singled out as part of the issue.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/201.....15/7084886
This bit sums it up really:
“That sense of, ‘am I the only unhappy person on Facebook?'”
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@Evan maintain the rage buddy and just in case you’re not aware the filters aren’t mandatory.
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just a question is the mardi gras going to be telecast on free to air t.v for those who can’t get down to Sydney to watch it live …. If so which channel would it be on …. great work to you all for putting all the events together
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I am love to go any of the sydney gay & lesbian mardi grass cuz i never seem them before so rite now i am Lesbian want to joy it this teams
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