Gay animal rights group ‘denied place in Sydney Mardi Gras’

An animal rights group have complained they were denied a float at this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras.

Animal Liberation NSW (ALNSW) said it was deemed “not queer enough” to warrant a place in the festival, which kicks off later this month.

ALNSW communications manager Lynda Stoner told SX the group had even changed its name to Sydney Queers for Animal Rights but was again rejected by festival organisers.

She said she had submitted her group’s application two weeks before the closing date but organisers left a voicemail telling her the group did not fit entry criteria.

The group has marched with the parade for years and Stoner said that most participants who wanted to join the parade were gay.

She added that companies such as ANZ Bank and Ikea were allowed floats, despite not being 100 per cent gay.

Stoner told the newspaper: “We feel marginalised and discriminated against, and that’s really quite distressing, especially coming from Mardi Gras, which is all about making a stand against discrimination.

“We’re really, really disappointed. In fact, I’m just gobsmacked.”

New Mardi Gras co-chair Steph Sands declined to comment.