Sydney - Up to 300,000 people lined Sydney’s streets to watch the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Saturday as the largest gay pride march in the Asia Pacific region marked its 30th anniversary.

For the first time, serving military personnel were among the 10,000 costumed participants sashaying through the city’s Oxford Street gay district, showing how much attitudes have changed since the first event in 1978.

That march, staged at a time when male homosexuality was still illegal in New South Wales state, was a demand for gay rights that ended with more than 50 arrests as police and protesters clashed.

Since then, the Mardi Gras has become better known as a sequin-adorned extravaganza that attracts tourists from around the world and pumps millions of dollars into the city’s coffers.

Air New Zealand even staged a special “pink flight” to carry revellers from San Francisco to Sydney in a plane that sported a giant pink feather boa and eyelashes over the cockpit windows as passengers embarked in California.

Police officers now march alongside drag queens and the event has become a party night out for young people, both gay and straight, in the harbour city.

About 80 defence force personnel were given permission for the first time to participate, alongside a lesbian motorcycle group who call themselves “Dykes on Bikes” and a contingent of swimwear-clad gay lifesavers.

Despite the glitz, Mardi Gras organiser Marcus Bourget said it retained much of its original political message.

“Mardi Gras is all about the festival and it’s all about telling Australia our stories, our lives, and showing Australia that our love is not a second-class love and shouldn’t be treated as such,” he told public radio.

“So it’s all about compassion, understanding and acceptance, so I think they’re universal values.”

In another first, a group of about 100 ministers of organised religions were set to offer an apology for the treatment of gays and lesbians — similar to the government’s recent apology to Aborigines.

Pattaya - Following a successful 2007 where the Pattaya Gay Festival exceeded their target and raised 4 million Baht for Heartt2000 and other worthy causes they are happy to announce their first events of 2008.

On Monday 25 February 2008 they will be holding their opening ‘Tribute to the Stars’ Street Party in Boystown, Pattaya.

The show will feature a host of Guest artists including the popular Toi and ‘El Duo’. There will also be a great Lucky draw with some fantastic prizes.

The street opens at 8pm with the party starting at 9.30pm. Tickets are only 300 Baht with 150 Baht of the ticket price going to PGF charities. Businesses have also agreed to donate 10% of all food and beverage sales to PGF.

Wednesday 12 March 2008 sees the opening PGF Gala Gourmet Dinner at Bruno’s Restaurant, Pattaya.

The menu, created by Chef Fredi, comprises 6 fantastic courses with the main course being delicious Australian Beef Tenderloin.

Tickets are priced at 2,000 Baht with 500 Baht of the ticket price going to PGF charities.

Book now for this Gourmet Charity Dinner at one of Pattaya’s leading restaurants.

Reservations can be made at Bruno’s on 038 364600 or at the Ambiance Hotel in Boystown.

During 2007 Pattaya Gay Festival supported HEARTT2000, The Mercy Center, Ban Bung Juvenile Training Center and Take Care Safe Sex project.

More details of Pattaya Gay Festival are available on www.pattayagayfestival.com or by email to info@pattayagayfestival.com

Membership for 2008 is now open. Any business or individual wishing to become a member and to support the work that Pattaya Gay Festival does for the Pattaya Community, also the benefits to you as a member, can find full details on http://www.pattayagayfestival.com/pgf08/supportpgf08.htm

We have just received some photos from Taiwan Gay Pride march held on Sunday 21 November.

The parade attracted more than 10,000 people and is the largest gay event held anywhere in Asia so far.

Hugely popular singer A Mei entertained the crowds and help to bring much needed media attention.

Taipei - Thousands of gays and lesbians marched through the city streets on Saturday demanding more rights, organisers said.

The parade took a carnival-like mood with marchers waving rainbow flags, colourful balloons and signs. Some were dressed in flamboyant period costumes while others only wore swim trunks despite the cool weather.

“We have to make our voices and demands heard so that the government will do more to promote gay rights,” said Way Chao, a 22-year-old serviceman from southern Kaohsiung.

In a symbol of unity, participants raised coloured placards to form a giant rainbow flag in a bustling business district in Taipei, organisers said.

The parade reached its climax with a rally outside Taipei City Hall, where Taiwanese pop diva A-Mei was recognised as a goodwill ambassador by organisers for her support of the gay community.

The singer, who performed some of her hit songs to the cheering crowd, endeared herself to the gay audience when she released a music video depicting a gay wedding scene several years ago.

Despite the festive atmosphere, organisers hoped to get some serious messages across to the public.

“We urge the parliament to pass the anti-discrimination bill and the same-sex partner bill to promote gay rights,” said co-organiser Wang Ping, secretary-general of Gender/Sexuality Rights Association Taiwan.

Taiwan’s cabinet in 2003 drafted a controversial bill to legalise same-sex marriages and recognise the rights of homosexual couples to adopt children, the first country in Asia to do so.

However, the law has yet to be passed and some gay groups have criticised the bill as a ploy to woo voters.

“We also hope the government will protect the freedom of speech of the gay community,” Wang added, referring to a 2005 guilty verdict against a gay book dealer for selling pornographic magazines.

In 2005, a district court in northern Taiwan sentenced J.J. Lai, owner of a gay bookstore in Taipei, to 50 days in jail on obscenity charges in a ruling which outraged the gay community.

Lai argued that similar materials are easily available for gay readers. However, his appeal was rejected by the Taiwan High Court.

Pattaya - Following another great year the PGF organisers are proud to announce our Pattaya Gay Festival 2007 closing four day Party.

As usual the party will be held on 29, 30 November and 1, 2 December 2007. The festivities this year include a welcome return of a Great Beach Party on the Beach at Dongtan, Jomtien, a Gala Gourmet Dinner at the famous Bruno’s Fine Dining Restaurant, the popular Mr Pattaya Gay Festival competition at Boyz Boyz Boyz and a Christmas Cracker Finale Street Party in Boystown.

Here are the details;-

Thursday 29th November - Jomtien Beach Party
Venue: Beach Opposite Tui’s Place, Dongtan, Jomtien from 8pm

Ticket Price: 600 Baht , including Italian/Thai Buffet, one drink and 150 Baht Donation to PGF Charities.
Entertainment provided by Throb/Splash, Boyz Boyz Boyz,and Special Surprise Guests.
Tickets available at The Ambiance, Throb/Splash, Le Cafe Royale, Tui’s Place and at the gate on the night.

Friday 30th November - Gala Gourmet Dinner
Venue: Bruno’s Restaurant at 8.30pm
Ticket Price: 2,000 Baht, including a Welcome Drink and 500 Baht donation to PGF Charities
Contact Jim at The Ambiance, or Bruno’s for Reservations

Saturday: 1st December - Mr Pattaya Gay Festival 2007
Venue: Boyz Boyz Boyz, From 10.30pm
Price: Entrance 300 Baht includes one drink and 150 Baht to PGF Charities
The annual fun competition to select another Handsome Hunk to become Mr Pattaya Gay Festival 2007
Buy your ticket at the gate on the night.

Sunday 2nd December - Christmas Cracker Finale Street Party
Venue: Boyztown. Gates open 8pm
Tickets: 300 Baht includes one drink and donation to PGF Charities. 20% of all Food and Drinks sales donated to PGF.
Entertainment provided by Throb/Splash, Boyz Boyz Boyz as well as a host of Local and International Celebrities.

Tickets available at all Boyztown Venues