Three of Australia’s leading disability service providers – Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford), Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA), and Northcott – will again team up to represent LGBTQIA+ people with disability at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG) Festival and Parade on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
The Disability Dream float have announced that their float will feature LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies from all three organisations. Collectively, Afford, CPA, and Northcott have a strong legacy of advocating for the rights and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people with disability, as well as the broader LGBTQIA+ community within the disability sector, including parents, carers and workers.
The theme for this year’s Mardi Gras is Free to Be, a celebration of the strides toward true LGBTQIA+ equality, while also acting as a global reminder that our fight is far from over, and that we are not truly free until we are all free to be.
“Free To Be is a manifesto of what our community has desired and fought for for dozens of decades, and the reason why we will continue to be here, fighting, celebrating and being fiercely visible for the generations to come,” said Gil Beckwith, CEO of Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Afford, CPA, and Northcott’s creative interpretation of that theme is Free to Fly, embodied in our design’s focus on large, vibrant wings. These wings represent the freedom to be one’s true self, soaring above prejudice and discrimination.
Our float highlights the intersectionality of the LGBTQIA+ disability community, underscoring the message that everyone deserves the freedom to fly – embracing their disability, sexuality and cultural diversity without hesitation or limitation.
Research suggests that 30 to 40 per cent of people with disability identify as LGBTQIA+. Disability and LGBTQIA+ identities are deeply intertwined, yet there remains a significant gap in accessibility for people with disability, both within the broader community and even the queer community itself.
Our community faces numerous barriers to access, which is why the visibility of our float is so important. For both the viewers and participants, our float sends a powerful message: we exist, and we are incredible. LGBTQIA+ people with disability are whole, multi-dimensional humans who are free to be ourselves, without being defined by any single aspect of our identity.
Free to be and free to fly
Free to Fly represents the intersectionality of the LGBTQIA+ disability community, brought to life by Afford, CPA, and Northcott. Featuring a progress pride heart rising from vibrant wings and banners displaying disability symbols, our entry celebrates the freedom to be one’s true self.
With key word signers and hand-painted signs, we aim to break barriers and show that when everyone has wings, everyone can soar.
Together, we are free to fly, free to love, and free to embrace every aspect of our identity.
For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Kelly Baker
Communications Specialist
0479 033 299
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About Afford: Afford is one of Australia’s most established disability service providers. Our purpose is to create an inclusive world where human rights are realised. A world where people of all abilities come together to share in life’s adventure. We aim to improve the lives of people with disability by prioritising their choices, promoting their rights and exploring possibilities together.
About Cerebral Palsy Alliance: Cerebral Palsy Alliance is a ground-breaking, global centre of expertise for cerebral palsy services and support, research, technology and innovation, and advocacy. We embrace diversity and value our extraordinary people, who unite under our shared vision of creating hope for the future.
About Northcott: Northcott is a disability service provider that works with customers to realise their potential. As one of Australia’s largest not-for-profit disability service organisations, we provide services throughout NSW, QLD and the ACT. Northcott provides a range of services to people with disability including Sexuality and Relationship Education, Therapy, and Housing and Supported Independent Living.
Image Packet – Afford, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Northcott
High-res image collection and video highlights, 2024 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Photography/videography credit: Ohragnar.
