Ron Austin - affectionately known as the 'godfather of Mardi Gras' - is the one who suggested the march be more of a big, moving street party to celebrate the community. However, due to many international Gay Rights protests ending in violence and arrests, the group wanted a positive celebration instead.
The event was also intended to be Sydney's contribution to the Gay Solidarity Celebrations, an international show of support for New York's Stonewall riots in 1969. In 1978, a group of young queer Australians decided to march in order to protest the criminalisation of homosexuality in Australia and denial of equal rights to the LGBTQI+ community. In New Orleans during Mardi Gras, one cake reigns supreme - king cake. After that, it soon became such an established tradition in New Orleans that it became synonymous with the city rather than a religious event, eventually growing into the enormous city-wide event that we know now. The first organised Mardi Gras in New Orleans happened only 4 years later, in 1703, but the first Mardi Gras parade didn't take place until 1837. The date was March 3, 1699, so the group named the spot Point du Mardi Gras in honour of the Catholic holiday. On this mission, they entered the mouth of the Mississippi River and made their way upstream, setting up camp at a location known today as New Orleans. In the late 17th century, King Louis XIV sent Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville to defend France's claim on the territory of 'Louisiane' - modern day Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and eastern Texas. Ultimately choosing yes, Minnis was a marshal with a megaphone that time.
Back in 1979, the community debated whether to proceed with a second Mardi Gras for fear of further violence.