On 24 June 1978, a small group of gays and lesbians operating as the Gay Solidarity Group staged a day of events in Sydney. The intention was to promote gay and lesbian culture and to encourage political activism against the discrimination they routinely experienced.
The Group organised not only a traditional march and public meeting in the morning but a street parade as well.
The violent police response to the parade brought national attention and helped to establish the parade as an annual event.