The Night They Arrested Mardi Gras with Kate Rowe
It was 1978. Kate Rowe was 26, sitting on the bonnet of a truck rolling down Oxford Street, chanting at the top of her lungs. Sydney’s very first Mardi Gras. Just one year after coming out to herself. Not a protest, a party. Until the police arrived.
In this episode, Kate takes us back to that night: what it felt like to finally say it out loud, what happened when the celebration turned to chaos, and what a 26-year-old woman on the bonnet of a truck couldn’t yet understand about the world she was fighting to exist in.
She talks about the charges, the media coverage that outed participants to their employers and families, the losses that followed, and the fire it lit. About watching Mardi Gras become something she barely recognises, and why she thinks that’s complicated. About addiction, and sobriety, and what it takes to face down your own past. And about the younger lesbians she sees now moving through the world with a ease she couldn’t have imagined at their age.
Kate Rowe is a 78er. This is what she remembers. And what she wants you to know.
Links & References:
Connect With Kate Rowe
Website: www.katerowe.net
Kate’s Book ‘How the fuck would I know.’ https://katerowe.net/buy-the-book/
Connect With Jennifer Jefferies
Show Note:
Kate’s Involvement in the 1978 Sydney Mardi Gras @ 0:00
Kate Rowe recounts her experience as a 26-year-old participating in Sydney’s first Mardi Gras parade in 1978. She describes the celebratory atmosphere on the Bedford truck, chanting and singing, until the police arrived and violently shut down the event, arresting many participants including Kate. This traumatic experience was a pivotal moment that sparked Kate’s political awakening and activism.
The Aftermath and Impact of the 1978 Mardi Gras @ 5:46
Kate discusses the aftermath of the 1978 Mardi Gras, including being charged with “unseemly words” and the media coverage that outed many participants to their employers and communities. This led to job losses and social ostracization for Kate and others. However, it also galvanized the LGBTQ+ community and fueled ongoing protests and activism to fight for rights and visibility.
The Evolution of Mardi Gras and LGBTQ+ Visibility @ 18:56
Kate reflects on how Mardi Gras has transformed over the decades, becoming a major cultural and commercial event. While she has mixed feelings about the increased corporate sponsorship and “pink capitalism”, she acknowledges the positive impact of greater LGBTQ+ visibility and acceptance, especially for younger generations. She discusses the importance of preserving the history and legacy of the 78ers.
Kate’s Personal Journey with Addiction and Recovery @ 31:20
Kate opens up about her personal struggles with addiction, including using drugs and alcohol to cope with past traumas. She describes her journey to sobriety and the challenges of confronting her past, as well as the healing power of music and community. Kate emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and finding fulfillment in the present.
Passing the Torch to the Next Generation @ 49:27
Kate discusses the generational differences she observes in the LGBTQ+ community, noting the increased comfort and confidence of younger lesbians. She expresses pride in seeing the progress made and the importance of preserving and sharing the history that her generation fought for, while also embracing the evolution of the community.
Reflections on a Life of Resilience @ 53:53
In closing, Kate reflects on her life journey with a sense of hard-won wisdom and gratitude. She expresses pride in her younger self’s bravery and courage, and a belief that the struggles she has endured were ultimately “worth it” in shaping who she is today. Kate emphasizes the importance of finding meaning and joy in the present, even amidst the challenges of the past.