The last days of February have rolled on by and unsurprisingly most of us haven’t given our New Year’s resolutions a second glance.

Yes, once January was over, I didn’t have much to look forward to until the Easter long weekend, when I would return home to my mother’s cooking and local festivities.

Nothing happens in March, right? Well, so I thought until I walked out of my house over the weekend and into the most colourful time of the year.

Taylor Square Sydney - a place routinely buzzing with cafes opening their doors to night-before stragglers, commuters and students like me, who couldn’t afford coffee.

However, on this particular weekend, a colourful storm had rained rainbows over my local area and I had found myself right in the middle of the 2019 Mardi Gras.

I’m not an identifying member of LGTBIQ+ community but suddenly I was a community member hosting Sydney’s most vibrant and dazzling spectacle. 

I stepped out, quite literally, onto a rainbow at my local pedestrian crossing and by Saturday the surrounding streets transformed into a parade of pride.

Lock-out-laws were lifted and glitter and glamour became the only dress code.

It was the most colourful party of the year and it was on my doorstop.

“It’s like Christmas and your town should know about it,” my university friend exclaimed.

This is not only for the LGTBIQ+ community but for those living amongst people struggling with sexuality and identity.

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Just last year, the town of Hay initiated their ‘Rainbow of the Plains Festival’ in support of the event and even the locals of Wagga Wagga are hosting their very own Mardi Gras parade this Saturday.

It brings me joy to hear that places so close to where I used to live, are continuing to spread the love.

For now, I want to take my hat off to those leading the way for country towns in rural NSW, as the conversation of sexuality can be a tough one.

Maybe, one day Banna Avenue can fearlessly jump onto the colourful bandwagon and celebrate diversity in our town. But, in saying this, it is a lot easier to support an event when you live right in the heart of it.

March, you have showed me fun, love and brought back Kylie Minogue into our lives. Thank you!

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