50,000 take part in the WorldPride march in Sydney

Tens of thousands of people marched across the Sydney Harbor Bridge on Sunday as part of the WorldPride festival in support of global LGBTQ equality.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined about 50,000 protesters on the final day of the international festival, which Sydney is hosting for the first time.

“I think it sends a message about the progress we’ve made in the country,” contestant Thomas Lemon told AFP.

Protesters in festive attire carried LGBTQ flags across the bridge, which was closed to traffic for several hours.

“I think it’s great that a lot of these types of inclusive activities are happening,” Lemon said.

“People of all ages, races and countries come together to celebrate inclusivity and just be happy.”

Organizers said they hoped the march would send out “a strong international statement” calling for equality for LGBTQ people around the world.

The large crowd later headed to a city center park, where a concert lowered the curtain on the 17-day festival, which this year partnered with Sydney’s famous annual Mardi Gras parade.

Last weekend, more than 12,000 revelers dressed in glitter, feathers, stilettos and latex danced through the city in the parade.

Albanese was the first sitting prime minister to attend Mardi Gras, a highlight of the city’s social calendar that draws visitors from around the world.

People march across the Sydney Harbor Bridge for equality on Sunday as part of the 2023 WorldPride festival in Sydney, Australia. (Reuters photo)