From its beginnings as a protest march in Sydney's inner city, Mardi Gras has become an internationally renowned celebration of LGBTQIA+ life.
Except this year it's a little different, as festival organisers announced the huge post-parade party — the one that's been headlined by Kylie Minogue and Cher — has been cancelled.
It's not just Mardi Gras feeling the pressure.
Last year, the ABC reported that three Australian capital cities no longer have a single dedicated queer club.
So it begs the question: what role does the big queer party, the dancefloor, the safe space play in modern Australian life?