Mardi Gras: 1978 - It Was A Riot

Activists dreamed up the idea of a street party in Oxford Street to engage “apolitical” gays in the bars. Police violence on the night to break up the street party, changed the course of history for Sydney’s lesbian and gay community. Here, Ron Austin and Peter Murphy explain the logic of a ‘street party’. Diane Minnis gives some background to the first Mardi Gras. Robyn Plaister describes the events at College (sic “Collins”) Street. Penny Gulliver, Peter Murphy, Terry Batterham and Graham Chuck share their memories. Stuart Round talks about Darlinghurst Road. John Greenway explains what happened to the unbanked cash from CAMP. Ray Prasad recounts his arrest and Chris Pearce describes the night in the cells. David Urquhart receives a note to let him know something is going on at the Cross and Terry Goulden assesses the fallout.