Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

Mardi Gras

13 February – 3 March 2026.

Community Quilt
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UNSW Mardi Gras 2024

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of Australia’s most iconic and beloved events, transforming the city for weeks of celebration and culminating in the glitter-filled Parade - a dazzling night of pride, purpose, and self-expression (with biodegradable glitter, of course!)

UNSW is proud to be taking part in the annual Mardi Gras celebrations once again in 2026. There are lots of ways you can get involved and celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride, on and off campus. 

Community Quilt Photoshoot

As part of the 2026 Mardi Gras celebrations at UNSW, the community has come together to build a UNSW Queer Community Quilt, inspired by the iconic AIDS Memorial Quilt created in 1985. It is a large, collaborative artwork that honours LGBTQIA+ history, celebrates lived experience, and reflects the breadth of UNSW’s connection to the LGBTQIA+ community.

Join us on Tuesday 17 February at the Village Green, Kensington Campus for a group photo with the quilt!

Event details:
10am: Event start time
10:30am Photos and videography
11am: Morning tea

This group photograph is an opportunity to come together to celebrate the completed quilt as well as demonstrate continued support for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies at UNSW.

Mardi Gras events
Photograph of peoplrin the mardi gras parade

Marching with Pride

UNSW is proud to once again participate in the iconic Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, alongside over 12,000 people and 200 floats. This year holds special significance as we've partnered with the UNSW Kirby Institute in its 40th year, and we'll debut the completed UNSW Queer Community Quilt - a collaborative project created by staff and students to honour LGBTQIA+ pride, history and community at UNSW. You can watch the Parade coverage on ABC.
Fair Day 2025

Fair Day

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Arc is partnering up with UNSW for a community stall at Mardi Gras Fair Day! Whether you're a fresh face or returning for Term 1, stop by Victoria Park to chat with us about everything Queer on our campus.
Students, staff, UNSW Alumni and the wider community come together to make a Human Rainbow down University Mall at UNSW Kensington Campus. The Human Rainbow is a symbol of our solidarity and acceptance for the LGBTIQ+ community here at UNSW and across the world.

Community Quilt Photoshoot

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
At this year's parade, we will proudly showcase the completed UNSW Queer Community Quilt, representing the contributions and stories of our community. Join in the celebrations of our LGBTQIA+ campus community by taking part in this photoshoot at the Village Green, to commemorate the Mardi Gras Quilt, followed by light refreshments. Think human rainbow vibes!
CFI Mardi Gras 2026 event

Lesbians are Lovely!

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
In the fifty years since the rallying cry “Lesbians are Lovely!” was sprawled across walls, bodies and picket boards in the fight for recognition and liberation, there have been many developments in queer identity and culture. But are we making space for all lesbians and how can we celebrate every part of our community? Join a trailblazing line-up of panellists at the Carriageworks, for an evening of conversation around all things lesbian and lovely. This event is co-presented by the UNSW Centre for Ideas (in collaboration with Dr Yves Rees) and Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Drag trivia 2025

Drag Trivia

5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Join us at UNSW Roundhouse on 24 February, 5:30pm–6:30pm, for a trivia event that combines the thrill of a pub quiz with the unapologetic fabulousness of drag culture. Registration link coming soon.
Mardi Pardi 2025

Mardi Pardi

Our annual Mardi Pardi celebration is back for another year. This free event is all about celebrating queer pride, self-expression, and community in a space where everyone is welcome to be loud, proud, and unapologetically themselves. Free ticket link coming soon.

Resources & information
Ally_UNSW

ally@UNSW

Since 2008, UNSW has built a network of students and staff who pledge to take a proactive stance against discrimination based on gender and sexuality diverse populations, and people with innate variations of sex characteristics (intersex people).

UNSW-Mardi-Gras-2019-Parade

LGBTQIA+ Allyship@UNSW

Train to join a community of people who are committed to being allies to the LGBTQIA+ community at UNSW.

Support & Services

Support & services

Information to help you access services offered at UNSW, seek out likeminded student groups, and connect with broader community support and resources.