The 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras has crossed a line that cannot be ignored. Among its numerous controversial moments, a performer uploaded an image during the event of themselves impaling a depiction of Jesus Christ —an intentional and public act of desecration meant to mock the Christian faith. This spectacle not only targets Christianity in a way that would be unthinkable for other religions, but it also exposes the inconsistency of claims that the event promotes respect and dignity for all. At the same time, Mardi Gras continues to expose children to explicit adult content, normalising sexual fetishes and radical gender ideologies under the guise of inclusivity and celebration. Despite these concerns, the festival continues to receive significant financial support from hardworking Australian taxpayers. Many Australians are increasingly alarmed by the growing disconnect between public funding priorities and the values held by families across the nation.
The Sydney Mardi Gras, which claims to champion inclusivity and respect, regularly demonstrates open hostility toward Christian beliefs while demanding millions of dollars in public subsidies. While private organisations have every right to fund whatever expressions they choose, it is entirely inappropriate for taxpayer resources to be used to support an event that mocks the faith of nearly half the population. The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has received substantial taxpayer funding despite a history of financial mismanagement:
$1.1 million: NSW Government “recovery package” (2024)
$1.6 million: City of Sydney grant (2024-2027)
$2.25 million+: Cumulative City of Sydney contributions since 2012
$550,000: Emergency bailout from City of Sydney (March 2024), diverting resources from vulnerable families
$250,000: Free municipal venue (September 2024), while faith-based and family support groups struggle to secure space
Despite generating $12.4 million in revenue, Mardi Gras squandered $1.2 million in 2024. Any other organisation with such financial mismanagement would face public scrutiny and the loss of support, yet this festival—one that mocks Christian values and exposes children to inappropriate content—continues to receive financial bailouts. The Australian public deserves better stewardship of their hard-earned money.
It is time for the NSW Government and the City of Sydney to take responsibility. Public funding for the Mardi Gras must be reassessed and, ultimately, cut. Resources should be redirected to vital community services that benefit all citizens. Furthermore, clear funding guidelines should be established to ensure that future cultural events respect the religious beliefs of all Australians and protect children from harmful exposure. Australians should not be forced to subsidise an event that ridicules their faith and undermines the values they strive to instil in their children. Those who wish to promote such themes should do so using their own resources—not at the expense of taxpayers who are openly mocked. The time for action is now. The Australian Christian Lobby encourages all Christians to sign a petition to demand the NSW Government and City of Sydney cut all public funding for the Sydney Mardi Gras: www.acl.org.au/campaigns/pet-nsw-mardi-gras/
Source: Australian Christian Lobby
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