Colours of Pride: Gildan Brands Australia Brings Vibrance to the Sydney Mardi Gras For Another Year

Since its modest beginnings in June 1978, when a small band of gay and lesbian activists known as the Gay Solidarity Group organized a day of festivities in Sydney, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has endured and is now celebrating its 45th anniversary in 2023. The event has consistently taken a stand against the pervasive discrimination that LGBTQ+ individuals face and has aimed to promote and educate others about gay and lesbian culture.

Let’s take a brief look at our involvement in the recent Mardi Gras celebrations and how our brand, Gildan Brands Australia is intrinsically bound to a sense of "authentic responsibility”.

The Gildan Ethos

Gildan Brands Australia’s strong commitment to ethical labour and environmental practices runs through every stage of the supply chain. The company's "Genuine Responsibility" project is fully integrated into its playbook, reflecting its deep commitment to corporate social responsibility. The company is a leader in the industry when it comes to social and sustainability-focused compliance statements, and it enforces a healthy, non-discriminatory work environment.

According to Mardi Gras, "The LGBTQIA+ community is about much more than just rainbows and colours. It has been a difficult journey for many, and we wanted to take responsibility for positively contributing to this important issue in a way that is thought-provoking, action-inducing, and fun for everyone."

At Gildan Brand Australia, we operate with a "community-first" approach in everything we do, including the design of the standout Gildan t-shirts used to capture the moments of the Gildan AU x Mardi Gras events over the past two years. Our brand vision is centred on a shared respect for the environment, people, and communities, and we are proud to support events like the Sydney Mardi Gras.

Modern-day Celebration

On 24th June 2022, almost 1,000 members of the Pride community donned Gildan t-shirts and formed a vibrant, multi-coloured display on the steps of one of Australia's most iconic landmarks in celebration of Sydney World Pride Day 2023. Gildan Brands Australia's General Manager and Director, David Hillen, expressed his delight at being able to contribute to the success of the event, saying that his company is passionate about supporting safe spaces for individuals to be their authentic selves.

The day's festivities were full of fun and positivity, with participants selecting their preferred coloured Gildan t-shirt and gathering for a group photo at the Sydney Opera House stairs. The event also included speeches acknowledging the Aboriginal land and the history of Mardi Gras, as well as special thanks to sponsors like Gildan Brands Australia.

Gildan Brands Australia is happy to continue raising awareness for the LGBTQIA+ community through its involvement in the Sydney Mardi Gras Pride event this year. The company’s commitment to diversity and inclusivity through its support of the Sydney Mardi Gras is a significant milestone for the brand. By remaining supportive and inclusive of the event, Gildan Brands Australia hopes to continue to inspire and lead the way for future generations and brands to come.

Contact Gildan Brands Australia for more information on their range of colourful t-shirts.