Kylie Minogue tops off fabulous night of rainbows and love at Mardi Gras

Ageless pop superstar Kylie Minogue dropped in on Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, causing the entire parade to pause while a phalanx of 45 Kylie-style drag queens, cowboys and cowgirls danced to her hit All The Lovers and the lady herself gladhanded with the rainbow-festooned crowd.

If anyone could stop the glitterati express, it’s Kylie.

The ageless pop superstar dropped in on Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, causing the entire parade to pause while a phalanx of 45 Kylie-style drag queens, cowboys and cowgirls danced to her hit All The Lovers and the lady herself gladhanded with the rainbow-festooned crowd.

Kylie Minogue at the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Picture: Damian Shaw

“This is such an overwhelming feeling,” said Minogue, sparkling in a shiny gold one-shouldered gown.

Minogue is home in Australia from her base of London to tour her new album Golden.

As is traditional, Dykes on Bikes kicked off the parade. Picture: Matrix

A joyous and typically naughty Mardi Gras marked its 41st birthday in classic blinged-up style, with feathers, lingerie, rainbows and body paint as far as the eye could see.

Organisers said 300,000 revellers turned out for the event under starlit skies, kicking off with an indigenous smoking ceremony, fireworks and a Dykes on Bikes drive-by at 7.30pm.

A look-alike Cardinal George Pell marched while chained to the Devil. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

Amid the excitement of sequins, pop princesses, tight pants and a sprinkling of soap stars, it was a simple placard that summed up the spirit of Mardi Gras 2019: “Love is love.”

Gay, straight, or any flavour in between, love was the vibe among the 300,000 participants and spectators who turned up for the 41st annual parade last night.

Feathers, elaborate head gear and scanty attire were the order of the night. Picture: AAP

Signs held by marchers sported the usual sweeping declarations of support and inclusion, including “respect, resilience and regeneration”, “connection”, “identity”, “India, Nepal decriminalise homosexuality”, “Sydney supports equality” and “love is love”.

This year’s Mardi Gras event is only the second to be held after same-sex marriage was legalised in Australia during 2017.

Soap star Jodi Gordon also made an appearance at the parade. Picture: Matrix

One reveller was dressed as disgraced cardinal George Pell, chained to the devil

Many paraders waved the rainbow flag and poked their tongues out as they passed onlookers cheering them on and showing their support for the LGBTQI community.

Wonder Mama was powered along by dalmatians, with the Fearless Rainbow Super Queerios in the background. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

Leonardo Magalhaes and his boyfriend Gavin Curtis were resplendent in orange. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

The iconic, rainbow-coloured occasion has come a long way since starting in 1978, when hundreds of Sydneysiders took to Oxford Street in support of the gay civil rights movement in the US.

Even beards were given a bit of sparkle — golden boys Richard Tompkinson, Scott Harker and Brad Harker. Picture: Tracey Nearmy

Now Sydney’s Mardi Gras is recognised globally — attracting thousands of people worldwide including superstar celebrities like Cher, who headlined at last year’s event.

The state government relaxed its controversial lockout laws for the night.

Celebrating 41 mardi gras festivals. Picture: Damian Shaw