TL;DR

• Two Sydney Mardi Gras directors say they were locked out of their accounts after supporting a motion centering trans rights.
• The Board previously rejected member resolutions to make the 2026 parade trans-focused.
• Sydney Mardi Gras denies the lockout was linked to political views.
• The dispute adds to years of complaints about silencing trans voices and dissenting directors.
• Critics say the Board is failing its duty to stand up for the community during escalating anti-trans policies in Australia.

Sydney Mardi Gras Board Accused of Silencing Directors Who Backed Trans Rights

A Pride Organisation Under Fire—Again

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, long considered one of the world’s most iconic LGBTQ+ institutions, is facing another political storm—this time from within its own ranks. Two board members, Luna Choo and Damien Nguyen, say the organisation has effectively muzzled them for supporting trans rights, escalating a battle that has shaken the Pride community during an already turbulent political moment.

The controversy erupted after the Board rejected a set of member-proposed resolutions calling for the 2026 festival to spotlight transgender and non-binary rights. Those resolutions would have encouraged parade floats to show explicit support for trans people—an urgent message as several Australian states restrict gender-affirming care for youth.

Instead, directors dismissed the motion, arguing it would limit “creative direction” and deviate from standard parade processes. That decision alone sparked criticism. But the fallout quickly spiraled when Choo and Nguyen say their administrative email access was suddenly revoked after they replied to a community request, expressing personal support for highlighting trans injustice.

Locked Out—and Speaking Up

Emails seen by PinkNews show that both directors responded to a community member on 16 January, clarifying that although they could not speak “on behalf of the Board,” they strongly supported the intention behind the trans-rights resolutions. Choo’s message specifically condemned government rollbacks on gender-affirming healthcare in the Northern Territory, noting how essential it is to stand with trans youth.

Minutes after their final response, the pair say their Mardi Gras accounts were disabled.

Choo and Nguyen told the community member they could no longer see replies, hinting at internal consequences while reiterating their commitment to voting for trans rights wherever possible. Their message was clear: they felt targeted for their stance, and they would not be intimidated into silence.

The Board Pushes Back—But Critics Aren’t Convinced

In a statement, a Mardi Gras spokesperson insisted the allegations were “completely false,” calling the account lockouts a matter of internal governance rather than political retaliation. But this isn’t the first time such concerns have surfaced.

Trans former director Charlie Murphy previously said she faced “disciplinary action” after joining a queer rights protest in 2021. Another former director, Skip Blofield, claimed they were stood down in 2022 alongside other trans people and people of color. Luc Velez, who stepped down last year, accused the Board of suppressing dissent to appease politicians hostile to LGBTQ+ rights.

“It’s the perfect opportunity to send a strong message to politicians,” Velez said of the parade’s global platform. “Yet this Board is instead mobilising its resources to punish those who refuse to compromise on trans rights.”

Why This Matters: Mardi Gras’ Legacy vs. Reality

Sydney Mardi Gras isn’t just a parade—it’s a symbol of queer resistance born from protest and police brutality. For many LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans folks, it has been a refuge and rallying point in moments of crisis.

So when the Board appears to sideline trans issues during a wave of anti-trans legislation, alarm bells ring loudly. The parade’s visibility isn’t trivial; it’s power. It shapes public perception, galvanises activism, and tells trans youth they deserve to exist loudly, proudly, and safely.

The idea that directors supporting trans rights may have faced internal backlash sends a chilling message. If one of the world’s most famous LGBTQ+ organisations struggles to center its most vulnerable members, what hope do smaller or less-resourced groups have?

A Global LGBTQ+ Community Watching Closely

As Australian states impose new limits on puberty blockers and hormones, the need for institutional advocacy has never been clearer. Choo and Nguyen’s claims resonate far beyond Sydney—they echo a worldwide pattern where trans rights become the first bargaining chip when LGBTQ+ organisations face political pressure.

The Mardi Gras parade’s legacy demands better. It demands courage. And right now, many in the community fear the Board is drifting from the movement’s radical heart.

If Mardi Gras wants to honor its roots—and protect its future—it must ensure the people fighting hardest for trans rights aren’t punished but uplifted. Because Pride without trans liberation isn’t Pride at all.