Liam Baker, 15, is known as Cherry Ripe when in heels and was thrilled to be part of the 41^st annual event - marching with the Homos Against Scomo float.

"I feel like I’m very politically active, there are many issues which we've got which I think [Prime Minister] Scott Morrison could do more work to help change, which he’s just not," Liam said.

"I’m passionate about the refugees on Manus Island and Nauru as well as the religious exemptions bill."

Read more: All the fierce and fabulous photos from Mardi Gras

The float's theme was red and black, so Liam chose to make his own velvet gown and hand sewn wig for the occasion.

"It was phenomenal, it was so much fun," they said.

This year was the 41^st event which saw more than 12,500 march. In total 197 groups were represented in the parade with mahy incorporating the theme of 'Fearless'.

LGBTQI icon Kylie Minogue joined in for a special tribute on Taylor Square, complete with 45 of her own dancers and drag queens.

Meantime, the event is bidding for the hosting rights of WorldPride 2023 and has received a funding boost of $192,000 from the NSW Government.

A successful bid would see Sydney become the first destination in the Southern Hemisphere to host WorldPride, the marquee international lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) pride event. 

The inaugural WorldPride was held in Rome in 2000. Cities which have hosted WorldPride since 2000 include Jerusalem, London, Toronto and Madrid.