A mock crucifixion conducted by an Indigenous person, and the inclusion of Palestine flags, at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has raised eyebrows with political candidates.
Images from the Mardi Gras festivities show a person dressed as Jesus Christ standing against a tree, while another Indigenous person holds a spear pointed at his chest.
Gemma Noiosi, the New South Wales Libertarian Party candidate for Liverpool, questioned why the event was receiving taxpayer funding.
“Any other religion, this would be called a hate crime. But no … a guy dressed as Jesus in fishnets being speared by an Aboriginal in stripper boots is totally fine.”
The annual parade was held on March 1.
Daniel Lewkovitz, a security expert and former Libertarian Party candidate, said Christianity would be mocked.
“But the only religion in the whole world that is actively murdering LGBT people in 2025 will avoid any criticism whatsoever. Why?”
Part of the parade included a, “No pride in genocide” float, with numerous parade-goers brandishing Palestinian flags.
Victorian Senator Ralph Babet criticised Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for appearing at the event.
“This weekend, Prime Minister Albanese marched at Mardi Gras, once again proving there’s no minority group he won’t pander to for votes,” he said in a statement.
Babet was also critical of the event.
“If it were up to me, I’d cancel the event altogether,” he said.
“Keep your private life private, no one needs to see people openly flaunting sexual fetishes or parading half naked through public city streets.”
The parade also included a float supporting the “furry” subculture, where people dress as fluffy animals and in some cases take on a “fursona,” an amalgam of the words “fur” and “persona” to describe their animal-like behaviours.
Commentators from the national public broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, responded saying “so many kids just loving it.”
Event organisers were contacted for comment.
