Saint George Michael to watch over LGBTQ community at Mardi Gras pride parade
George Michael is gone, but his impact on the LGBTQ community won't be easily forgotten.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is on Saturday, and the final touches are being applied to the 180 or so floats set to travel down Oxford Street, in one of the world's biggest pride parades.
Among them is DIY Rainbow, the group known for chalking city streets with rainbows in support of marriage equality. In tribute to the late pop star, they've created "Freedom! The Float." And we are here for it.
"George was obviously a trailblazer for our community and his death over Christmas was shocking," DIY Rainbow's founder James Brechney, said.
"We knew that float applications had closed by then so felt we had to change our concept to make sure at least one float honoured the life and music of George."
The centrepiece of the float will be a mural of Michael called "Saint George," a design already found on a mural in the city.
It'll be flanked by two giant candles, with clouds decorating the base of the float.
"It's quite a spiritual creation and I'm glad I drove it down that direction. With the mural lit up it will nearly be like George is looking down on us," said Brechney.
More than 90 dancers will be dressed in iconic "Choose Life" shirts, fluorescent outfits inspired by Wham! and "a smattering" of policemen, in a nod to Michael's 1998 song "Outside."
"We feel these three iconic looks from George span his musical career as we want to honour everything he achieved," Brechney added.
It's a fitting tribute to Michael, who was so touched by a float that honoured him in 2010 that he decided to perform at the after party that night.
DJing on this year's float will be two friends of Michael, Jonny Seymour and Paul Mac, of electronic music act Stereogamous.
"It's great to have two talents that knew the man, it kind of brings it full circle for Mardi Gras," Brechney said.
We'll be covering the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras this Saturday via Mashable's Snapchat story, so make sure you give us a follow here.
