TikTok has announced its official debut as a partner of The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2021 with a month-long program celebrating the incredible LGBTQIA+ trailblazers on the platform – the funniest, bravest, most fabulous and inspiring Australian creators.
Fronted by ARIA Award nominee, queer icon and Mardi Gras headline performer, G Flip, the program invites Australians from across the country to virtually join TikTok’s debut Mardi Gras float at this year’s parade on March 6, 2021.
The national #JoinOurFloat hashtag challenge, which launches on the platform this week alongside an exclusive remix of G Flip’s track ‘Queen’ {Pride Remix}, asks the TikTok community to learn a series of dance moves, and then post their own challenge expression. The best entries will be broadcast across giant rolling screens as part of the Mardi Gras parade. The #joinourfloat challenge launches on TikTok with a Top View spot and videos from TikTok’s LGTBQIA+ creator ambassadors, @KevinIntheCity @MitchellCoombs, @Lawrence_Bing, @meissa.com.au and @emmahorn.
Brett Armstrong, General Manager, Global Business Solutions, TikTok Australia and New Zealand, said: “In our first year in Australia, we’re couldn’t be more proud to become a major partner of The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras to show our support for this inspiring community and the iconic cultural celebration. LGBTQIA+ creators are some of the most creative and expressive and TikTok is a place where they are their true selves. We’re committed to elevating and amplifying LGBTQIA+ voices because we believe they are making a positive impact on TikTok and in their broader communities.”
In addition to the #JoinOurFloat challenge, TikTok will broadcast G Flip LIVE during her star performance on parade night. The TikTok LIVE stream gives Australians, and the world, a parade’s-eye view of the action, with content streaming through G Flip’s TikTok account from on Saturday 6 March.
The program will also be supported by a series of LIVEs in the lead up to parade night with some of star LGBTQIA+ creators including; superstar @lawrence_bing, who will discuss transvisibility on TikTok and reflect on the history of Sydney’s Mardi Gras event; internationally acclaimed drag legend @courtneyact; as well as @emmahorn and @louis.hanson who will act as roving reporters. Tune in at 7 pm on Wednesday 3 March, @TikTok_Australia.