LGBTI+ community sports clubs from across Sydney have banded together in record time to create a smaller-scale outdoor alternative to the cancelled Mardi Gras Fair Day event.
The alternative event, to be held at Rushcutters Bay Park in Sydney’s inner-east this Sunday – which the weather bureau forecasts will be 29 degrees and mostly sunny – will feature a variety of sports games, information tents, and a sausage sizzle that will be run by the Rushcutters Bay Kiosk.
The runsheet has the event kicking off at 12pm with a welcome to the country, followed by rugby, kickball, soccer and other sporting demonstrations – and a traditional tug-of-war competition between the sporting communities.
While the event won’t be hosting non-sports club stallholders, the Burdekin Hotel has stepped in to host pop-up Fair Day-style stalls at its Oxford Street pub on Sunday without charging a hire fee.
As of 5pm on Wednesday, four stalls had been secured out of a possible 10-20.
Fair Day was cancelled on Wednesday morning after “bonded” asbestos was confirmed to exist in the mulch of its garden beds and under trees.
Asbestos material is a cancer and lung disease hazard, but the type found was not as high-risk as other types. Still, if it becomes disturbed it poses a higher risk.
As a result, Mardi Gras subsequently decided not to proceed with the event.
Fair Day’s cancellation has affected many queer-owned businesses, as well as drag performers, DJs and other artists who rely on it for income.
On Wednesday night, Mardi Gras published a list on its website of Fair Day stallholders and said it was working to make a full directory available so that people could still support the businesses impacted by the cancellation.
The idea of holding a smaller-scale event at Rushcutters Bay Park was first floated on Wednesday by Emerald City Kickball, a queer-inclusive sports league that plays at Rushcutters Bay Park once a week throughout the year.
“We quickly got on the phone with Woollahra Council to confirm the space, reached out to various LGBTQIA+ inclusive sporting leagues to invite them, and before we knew it it was all happening,” said a spokesperson for the kickball club.
“This is a chance we get to connect with the wider community and share who we are. We don’t want to miss out on that beautiful interaction or the opportunity for someone to find a community.”
The club urged the queer community to attend to make it a success.
“If you are considering a sporting community, take a chance,” the spokesperson said.
“Seeing yourself represented by other people within the community can help you feel reaffirmed in the multiple dimensions of your identity.”
Woollahra Council confirmed it had approved a sports fair day at Rushcutters Bay Park for Sunday.
“Emerald City Kickball is a regularly hirer of the park,” a council spokesperson said.
“They have estimated that there will be around 400 participants.”
Andrew Sanderson, vice-president of gay rugby union club Sydney Convicts, was thrilled at the prospect of an alternative to Fair Day.
“Fair Day is typically a cornerstone of our Mardi Gras season, so its absence would have been a considerable setback to this year’s recruitment and stripped us of a vital opportunity to engage with the wider community,” he said.
He thanked the Emerald City Kickball team for their swift action and organisation of the event.
“There’s no better demonstration of community spirit than an event organised by those from within,” he said.
Christopher Hicks, president of the gay football club Sydney Rangers, also thanked Emerald City Kickball.
“We’re looking forward to turning lemon into lemonade in Rushcutters on Sunday,” he said.
Editor’s note: Eliot Hastie is a former Sydney Convicts Rugby Club member.
Gay Sydney News editor
Gay Sydney News reporter