“ Whether it's the physical isolation of being "the only gay in the village" in a rural area, the
cultural isolation of being a first-generation Australian who's just
come out or even the isolation that can occur within the LGBTQI community
(particularly for trans people and people of color),
life isn't always glittery. In 2019, the Parade theme was "Fearless" -- a theme organizers said not only
encouraged LGBTQI people to be fearless in telling their own stories, but to be fearless in speaking
up when others can't. Since then, the Parade has grown to become an internationally recognized event,
equal parts protest, celebration and self-expression for the LGBTQI community and their allies.
We chat about the excitement of being in his first Mardi Gras Parade.
It's a stigma Sheldon felt keenly when he was first diagnosed.
Brian Sheldon will be at the back of the parade group,
marching instead of dancing ("I'm very uncoordinated!" he says).
It's Sheldon's second Mardi Gras march (his first, last
year, featured an appearance by Cher) and he's surrounded by 80 men and women in orange and blue T-shirts, all of whom will be marching alongside him
to raise awareness of HIV. Later that night, he will march side-by-side with them -- men and women of all stripes that
he might never have met if he hadn't joined TIM. ”