Mardi Gras - March 2011

 Animal Liberation was banned from participating in last year’s Mardi Gras but this year we made a loud and colourful We’re Back! under the banner of Queer Animal Liberation, a group founded by longtime Animal Liberationist Katrina Fox.

Over 80 activists participated in our float titled “We As Queers Agree – Set The Chickens Free!” Much has been said about the plight of caged hens but the fact remains the majority of eggs in Australia still come from cages and a ban, similar to Europe and California will not be happening any day soon.  We need to ensure that any ground we’ve gained for the chickens is not lost through apathy or a belief that all is now o.k. for them because it very much isn’t.

To participate in Mardi Gras is to honour the GLBTQI community while at the same time representing a wide range of additional social mores.  We received high fives and consistent welcome back!s from other float participants which was heart warming. 

The base for our glorious chickens was a yellow tutu, wings, vegan body paint kindly donated by Tim Gratton and lots of glitter – as you can see from the photographs our group is as creative as it is diverse!  Our drag Queen gladi-clutching Dame Edna/Mother Hen was ably assisted by her divine assistants Katrina and Tracie.  Our truck was decorated by ratchet wonder Denise and a bevy of chickens.  Cindy made our stunning QUEER sign and to Tania our thanks for the outstanding drag queen gown and taking the brilliant photographic record of this year’s Mardi Gras.  Thanks to Andrew for driving the truck and Elizabeth for videoing all the fun – Elizabeth’s video can also be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXLM63aOXmM, accompanied by a wonderful song she wrote called, “Paradigm Shift.”

To the upbeat “The Chicken Dance” and “Release Me” by Zoe Badwi we celebrated freedom for chickens in a joyful and positive way and the support from the hundreds of thousands of people who lined the streets was universally positive.  The Animal Liberation banner was, of-course, at the very head of the float and stretched across the street. Thanks to all who worked in the lead up, during and after Mardi Gras!