In an event honouring the bravery of its founders while welcoming uniformed Defence marchers for the first time, this year's 35th anniversary Mardi Gras parade has a "Generations of Love" theme that looks at the past, present and future.
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"Every Mardi Gras we reflect on the battles the gay and lesbian community has fought to make the way easier for us today," said the independent MP Alex Greenwich. "It inspires us to keep going."
The parade leaders are Dykes on Bikes, with the 78ers following close behind.
"These are people who first marched at the first parade in 1978," Mr Greenwich said. "And we want to celebrate and thank them for fighting for us."
The first parade was broken up by the police. "It shows how far we've come that the police now march with us," he said.
More than 100 of the 78ers are attending. With members of their contingent now in their 80s, some ride in a double-decker bus, while others march alongside.
Steve Warren, the 78ers convener, hasn't missed a single Mardi Gras parade in 35 years. At the time, he was a 21-year-old university graduate.
“It was exhilarating and scary," he recalls. "There were all these bars and venues where you could be yourselves.
"But as soon as you came home and you left Oxford Street, you went back into a world that was hostile and depressing."
More than 100 groups are involved, including Gay Tradies, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir and Lifesavers with Pride. This year, members of the Australian Defence Forces are allowed to march in uniform for the first time.
Dykes on Bikes are celebrating 25 years in the Mardi Gras with 210 motorcycles leading the parade to "rev up the crowd".
President Karen Cooper, 48, a general manager with an employment services agency, has been on 13 of them. Riding a Honda VTX 1300, she said: "No matter how many times you do it, the adrenalin is rushing through every part of your body."
The final float in the parade represents marriage equality, and has several celebrities making a stand for their gay friends, including Channel Nine's Mornings host David Campbell, Australian rugby union player Adam Ashley-Cooper, his girlfriend Pip Edwards and singer Prinnie Stevens.
Supporters, including parents marching with their gay and lesbian children, straight couples supporting gay friends and gay couples who have travelled overseas to get married, have huge styrofoam letters saying "64%", representing the percentage of Australians in favour of marriage equality.
Despite the inclement weather, spectators arrived early to get a good spot.
Sue White, 56, and friend Robyn, 62, left their husbands in Newcastle to make a weekend of it. They were camped out five hours before the parade was due to start.
"You aren't allowed alcohol. There's no toilets, so you can't really drink anyway," Mrs White said.
Another early bird was Emma from Holsworthy, who brought her 13-year-old daughter, Haylee.
"I came many years ago, we have lots of friends that we are supporting," said Emma.
with Tim Barlass and Anna Whitelaw
