Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade - in pictures

The Queen Elizabeth luxury liner displays a Happy Mardi Gras banner as it enters Sydney Harbour. Photograph: James Morgan/EPA

Spectators gather along Oxford Street ahead of the annual parade. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The Sydney Mardi Gras parade began in 1978 as a march and a commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Slef-styled Princess Iona Truck, Lady Hurtertz Van Hine and Dr Phoebe Smalls protesting against new alcohol licensing laws in inner Sydney.
Photograph: Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia

Katie Piper and Chelsea McPhail-Rosenberg at the 2014 Sydney Mardi Gras.
Photograph: Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia

Brett Baulton and Brad Shipp from Coffs Harbour at Sydney Mardi Gras 2014.
Photograph: Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia

Revellers decorate each other ahead of the parade. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

A placard holder commenting on Australia's border protection policy before the parade.
Photograph: Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia

A parade-goer takes a break on a park bench. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

General scenes prior to the parade at Sydney Mardi Gras 2014. Photo by Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia. Photograph: Guardian

Alfredo Navarro from Coffs Harbour at the Sydney Mardi Gras 2014. Photo by Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia. Photograph: Guardian

Putin on the Ritz: parade participants apply makeup in front of a picture of Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

A couple kiss as they prepare for the parade. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

Self-proclaimed 'dykes on bikes' roar along the parade route. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

A reveller strikes a pose. About 10,000 participants – on 144 individual floats – journeyed down Oxford Street, the hub of Sydney's gay and lesbian nightlife, in a vibrant show featuring drag queens, political parodies and plenty of glitter. Photograph: SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images

Faces in the parade at the Sydney Mardi Gras 2014. Photo by Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia. Photograph: Guardian

Australian singer Delta Goodrem performs at the parade. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Mardi gras marchers in Avatar costumes. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

A hula-hoop performer dances in the procession. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Anthony Albansese and Penny Wong in the parade at the Sydney Mardi Gras 2014.
Photograph: Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia

Couples smooch on a mardi gras float. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Faces in the parade at the Sydney Mardi Gras 2014.
Photograph: Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia

A group of lifeguards enjoy the celebrations. Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Pom-pom club: a cheerleader blows a kiss to the camera. Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

The sun falls on Sydney Mardi Gras but the participants keep going to the end. Photograph: Saeed Khan/AFP/Getty Images

Faces in the parade at the Sydney Mardi Gras 2014.
Photograph: Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia

Faces in the parade at the Sydney Mardi Gras 2014.
Photograph: Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia

Faces in the parade at the Sydney Mardi Gras 2014. Photo by Rachel Murdolo for Guardian Australia. Photograph: Guardian