White uniforms, handmade signs and a whole lot of pride: in our 2023/24 season, Sydney Outfielders joined the Mardi Gras Parade for the first time.
On Saturday 2 March 2024, members took the Outfielders onto Oxford Street for our first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. The photographs capture a community ready to make itself seen: teammates gathered around our banner, signs held high and smiles that carried well beyond the softball field.
The people who made it happen
The wrap-up sent to members on 8 March celebrated the many people behind the entry. Big Ben brought the vision and choreography, while Brad Gillman helped keep the logistics moving. Toby Evans worked on the signs and audio as well as photographing the evening. Mem coordinated on-ground logistics as float marshal and kept participants informed through the weekly newsletters.
Gabriel Alvarez and Steve Myers took on driving duties. Pamela Toleafoa Christensen helped with printing the signs, and Rai Trippett supplied the ute. Friends who were not Association members also gave their time, becoming part of the wider Outfielders family that made the parade possible.
A new chapter beyond the diamonds
Our debut brought another way to be involved in the Association: rehearsing together, making the entry, supporting one another through the preparations and finally sharing parade night. The member wrap-up thanked everyone who contributed, whether they marched, volunteered or helped behind the scenes. These archive photographs mark the beginning of that part of our story.