No Borders No Judgement — Sydney Mardi Gras Float

Beyond boot scootin'

No Borders, No Judgement

Off the line-dancing floor, I've spent 25+ years dancing and leading floats at Sydney's Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras angel costume with feathered wings

Gold-winged Mardi Gras costume with rainbow boots

K in a sequin catsuit at the night parade

Leading the float down the parade route in the rain

K with a giant red inflatable heart at the Mardi Gras party

I co-founded a float group so anyone can be part of it. No Borders No Judgement (NBNJ) began in 2023, created with fellow longtime Mardi Gras marcher Chris Bakis. Based in Melbourne, we make it easy for LGBTQIA+ people from anywhere in Australia to march in Sydney Mardi Gras — no borders means any state or territory is welcome, no judgement means come exactly as you are.

Our WhatsApp community runs all year — support, laughs, and often deeply emotional reflections from people who've never before felt so accepted. As one of our marchers, Nick, shared:

"Having been scared or ashamed of being gay for so long, it's like a whole new me and life just came into being."

We're proudly diverse — every orientation and gender identity, families marching alongside their kids, and members with disabilities and their support workers who stay connected all year. For many it's become a lifeline far beyond the parade — one marcher was so inspired after their first year that they lost 50 kg to dance the whole route the next.

March with us — Mardi Gras 2027

Keen to be part of it? A little honesty first: we're fully self-funded, so a participant ticket is around $200 — and if you're not from Sydney, you'll need to sort your own travel and accommodation on top. It's not cheap, but it's a genuine once-in-a-lifetime experience.