June 24, 1978: First parade starts with a morning street protest then a late-night street party/parade as Sydney's contribution to the international Gay Solidarity Celebrations, in honour of the 1969 Stonewall riots in New York. The night function ends with police brutality and 53 arrests. The Sydney Morning Herald does not cover the first parade but publishes the names of those arrested leading to many losing their jobs and homes.

1979: NSW Parliament repeals the Summary Offences Act legislation that had allowed the arrests to be made and created a new Public Assemblies Act, which means Sydneysiders no longer have to apply for a permit to have a demonstration. About 3000 people attend Sydney's second Gay Mardi Gras, many expecting to be arrested had organised an emergency bail fund for anyone arrested for the still-illegal act of male homosexuality.

Police drag away a protester at the court appearance of the 53 people arrested affter the first gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade in 1978.

1980: Parade takes place on a bitingly cold winter evening in June. A decision is made to move the parade to summer.

1981: Torrential rain on the original date of Saturday, February 21, calls for a reschedule to March 21 – the first and only time weather has made Mardi Gras postpone its showcase event.