At 10pm on the 24th of June 1978, the first Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras took place. Nothing like it is today, the first march was met with police violence that became a catalyst for change.

It was actually the opposition that the march was met with when it first began, both from outsiders and within our own communities, that help to shape it into the iconic beacon of pride we see today as one of Australia’s most loved events.

But as we look at 40 years of Mardi Gras, what does moving from protest to pride actually mean. Dean Arcuri sat down with Ken, Diane, Michael and Robin from the 78ers and asked just that, as they reflect on that first march and how far we have come today.

This interview originally aired on 19 February 2018 on JOY 94.9.