Celebrating Mardi Gras 2020

Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras brings together people from all over Australia and around the world to celebrate - this year was no exception with thousands coming together over the weekend to celebrate “what matters” (this year’s Mardi Gras theme).

We are proud to be a part of these celebrations with support for the Mardi Gras Community Grants Program and our Grow with Google digital skills training for small businesses.

Community Grants 

Through The Mardi Gras Community Grants Program we provided funding to individuals, community groups and not-for-profit groups to deliver their messages loudly and proudly during the Mardi Gras Parade. This is the third year we’ve supported the program.

Recipients include:

• Haka For Life - a non-profit created to provide a platform to communicate and raise awareness of mental health  and suicide prevention through conversation, community, sharing, and the power of the Maori Haka. 
• Jopuka Productions - a Central Coast youth arts company advocating for young artists who identify as LGBTQIA+. 
• NSW Trans Youth Alliance - representing 200 young people who are mostly trans and aged 16 to 20. 
• People with Disability Australia - representing people with disabilities through a strong ongoing connection with Mardi Gras. 
• Aspect Conference Room - representing LGBTQIA+ people with Autism to increase disability awareness. 
• Positive Life NSW - a state-wide peer-based organisation that speaks for and on behalf of all people living with HIV (PLHIV), partners, friends and family affected by HIV to promote the voice and diversity of PLHIV in NSW and break down stigma. 
• Bentstix Hockey Club - Bentstix provides the LGBTQIA+ community an opportunity to learn and play hockey and promote acceptance of diverse sexuality and gender within the broader community. 
• Runway Movement - a collective of LGBTIQ+ people of colour from all parts of Brisbane(Meanjin) aiming to close the gap from indigenous and first nation cultures and how we identify amongst these binaries of gender. 
• The Institute of Many - a grassroots community group bringing together people living with HIV to provide peer support and advocacy and break down HIV stigma. 
• Black Dog Institute - a mental health research institute dedicated to improving the mental health of all Australians, especially vulnerable and at-risk groups like the LGBTQI+ community. 
• Out For Australia - providing visible role models and mentors to support aspiring LGBTIQ students and professionals. 
• Central Coast Pride - volunteer run organisation that supports LGBTQIA+ communities on the Central Coast. 
• Party Passport - representing the Northern Territory's LGBTQIA+ people. 
• Selamat Datang Indonesian Community - representing the Indonesian LGBTI community and providing a networking environment for LGBTI Indonesians in Australia 
• Trikone Australasia - providing social support and a safe, nurturing environment for LGBT+ people of South Asian origin. 
• Trans Pride Australia - a social and support group for trans and gender diverse people and their loved ones in Australia, with a vision for all trans and gender diverse people to live their best possible life. 

We also hosted a Grow with Google for Mardi Gras 2020 skills training event at the Google office in Sydney in the lead up to Mardi Gras for LGBTQI+ individuals and allies who own or manage a SMB.

Partnering with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Business Association, participants heard how to get started with digital marketing, including our free online skills training platform, and other digital tools to help their business be found online.

Putting Digital Skills training into action 

It was during a visit to the Northern Territory to see the work of the Fred Hollows Foundation that James Hill witnessed the impact the doctor shortages have on remote communities. It inspired him to create a medical recruitment agency, Prescript, focused on addressing inequality in health care access. Prescript helps to tackle the problem by placing permanent and locum doctors in regional hospitals and practices all around the country.

James has used online tools to grow his business. Since attending a Mardi Gras Grow with Google event in 2019, he’s engaged a Google Partner, optimised his Google My Business profile and improved the performance of his Google Ads campaigns. In just 6 months, the campaigns have attracted 700+ new leads and most importantly, placed eligible doctors in regional and rural communities, getting help to people who need it most.

We are proud to support Mardi Gras and help more individuals and communities get involved.