Gay marriage dominates Mardi Gras

THE Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has kicked off, with the gay marriage theme dominating the parade.

In response to the Say Something campaign, 15 floats from groups including Amnesty International and Labor Faces for Marriage Equality are lobbying for same-sex marriage.

Thousands have lined Oxford Street for the 34th annual parade, with revellers maintaining their enthusiasm despite the cold winds and sporadic rain.

Brides and brides and grooms and grooms feature heavily in the parade in addition to cheerleaders, nuns, vampires and dancing Antoinettes.

Tony Abbott in Speedos and Julia Gillard in a wedding dress also talked equality through speech bubbles.

Up to 300,000 spectators from Australian and overseas are believed to have turned up for the celebrations, which snake up Oxford Street and into Flinders Street before finishing at Moore Park.

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More than 1000 police were present to ensure everyone has not only a gay time but also a safe time.

Pop superstar Rihanna is rumoured to be turning up for celebrations after her concert at Acer Arena.

Meanwhile, a Sydney pastor will hold a vigil in the city's CBD calling for the Mardi Gras to be held in a stadium and calling for the government to hold a referendum on same-sex marriage.

Peter Madden, director of Heal Our Land Ministries, has organised the vigil to draw attention to what he calls "subversive" attempts by politicians and Mardi Gras participants to legalise same-sex marriage.

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