Free to be at Western – students celebrate true self-expression and inclusion at Mardi Gras
For Jelly Van Doorn, a Student Community Assistant and Master of Research student at Western Sydney University, participating in Western’s contingent of the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade is important in showing students and staff that they are welcome to be who they are.
Marching under this year’s theme ‘Free to Be’, Western’s contingent of staff, students and alumni will be championing and celebrating freedom, equity, support and acceptance for all to be their true selves.
“Mardi Gras is a celebration of all the things that exist within the queer space. I think it's important to show people that we exist and we're proud to show it,” said Jelly.
“This means so much to people who are figuring themselves out and to people who don't have the luxury of being able to go out and celebrate like this. Being able to show these people that we exist and we're out to support them is important to me. It's also important to show that we can have fun while also championing the queer community.”
This year, Western Sydney University is set to celebrate its tradition of participating in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday, 1 March 2025, with this year marking Jelly’s third time marching in Western’s contingent.
Jelly says participating in Mardi Gras and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community sends an important message to all students and staff that they are welcome to be who they are at Western.
“I enjoy being a part of Western Sydney University and I want to show others that Western is a supportive and safe place to be,” said Jelly.
“Going to the parade, being myself and having some fun is great for people to see. I hope being myself at this university makes people feel like they're able to be themselves as well.
“If we aren't willing to participate in these public events and show support for those members of our community, how will they know they're safe and welcome at our institution? I hope Western keeps showing up at Mardi Gras and that we can make it another eleven years.”
As part of Western’s contingent in the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, Jelly will be one of four key students and staff wearing a feature costume design that was inspired by singer, actor and Broadway star, Billy Porter.
Western staff member and participant, Mariah Drakoulis, sketched the original artwork of the costume designs and will also be marching in one of the four designs created.
Expressing gender fluidity, the four feature costumes symbolically represent Western Sydney University’s diverse community and use colours from the University’s brand palette including crimson, purple, teal and pink.
“I think these costumes are a fun way to express individuality and they fit the theme of this year, which entails being yourself and having fun. I know this is a dream that a lot of people might have and being there in the costume might help some people feel free enough to go for it,” said Jelly.
This year as Western’s 40-member contingent prepare to march from Hyde Park to Moore Park in the 47th annual Sydney Mardi Gras Parade, Jelly is looking forward to making fun memories that will last long after the parade is over.
“One of my favourite parts of Mardi Gras is just after the parade, checking to see my friends and family trying to spot me in the parade and see what pictures they managed to take. They always get some funny ones and if they're good we turn them into emojis to use in our student clubs. This way the parade can kind of live on in a way, until next year.”
For more information on Western Sydney University’s 2025 Mardi Gras Parade and community events, please visit our Mardi Gras page.
ENDS
25 February 2025
Mardi Gras 2025
Free to be at Western – students celebrate true self-expression and inclusion at Mardi Gras
For Jelly Van Doorn, participating in Western Sydney University’s contingent of the 2025 Sydney Mardi Gras Parade is important in showing students and staff that they are welcome to be who they are.
Western embraces unlimited freedom and endless dreams at Mardi Gras 2025
Western Sydney University is excited to continue our tradition of participating in the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.