The emergency service heroes of Australia's devastating bushfire crisis will have a moment in the spotlight during this year's Sydney Mardi Gras.
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Oxford Street in Sydney's CBD will on Saturday come alive with glitter and lights for the annual LGBT festival and parade, expected to attract thousands.
Parade creative director Kat Hopper said this year's "What Matters" theme seeks to stoke debate around social justice, trans rights, sustainability, climate change and love.
"The 2020 Mardi Gras's float is a powerful and creative protest for the world we live in, it draws attention to climate and sustainability. It's built with love by our community out of recycled materials," Ms Hopper told reporters on Friday.
Of the 191 floats in the parade, several will focus on climate change while Australia's bushfire crisis "heroes" will be front and centre.
"These queer first responders and their allies from the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue and the State Emergency Services will take to Oxford Street for the moment in the spotlight they so deserve," Ms Hopper said.
"I cannot wait to hear the crowd roar to this."
As per tradition, the "dykes on bikes" will kick off the parade on Saturday evening with more than 12,000 people taking part in the four-hour festival.
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich on Friday said this year's Mardi Gras should further the campaign for equality, and expressed his dissatisfaction with the federal government's religious freedoms bill.
"I have never seen a bill that so deliberately undermines Australia's values of fairness and equality," the independent NSW MP said in a statement.
"We must never stop marching. We owe it to those who fought for the rights we enjoy today to fight for the equality of future generations."
There will be a high-visibility police operation across the Harbour City, with the riot squad and dog unit assisted by officers in the air and on horses.
NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Tony Crandell said significant crowds were expected around Sydney and urged revellers to plan ahead.
ACON, the state's leading sexuality and gender-diverse health organisation, encouraged revellers to look after themselves and their friends.
"The Sydney Mardi Gras is absolutely about having a great time celebrating the vibrancy and diversity of our communities ... while also playing safe," ACON deputy chief executive Karen Price said in a statement.
Australian Associated Press
