The float grew out of a Facebook group for transgender teens started by Kath Power, a psychologist from Martinsville, a two hour drive north of Sydney.

Last year, Power and her husband chaperoned five young gender diverse people – their son, Vio, and four friends – at a float organised by the parent support group at the Gender Centre.



She described marching with the group as an "amazing privilege".

"The photos I’ve got of the kids, the laughter on their face," she said. "The love. You’re marginalised, and now you’re getting cheered."

But it made her think there should be a float exclusively for transgender and gender diverse young people as well — particularly those who may not have supportive parents.

The fledgling NSW Trans Youth Alliance, which was established four months ago, consists mostly of teenagers who met through LGBTI youth camp Camp Out, and their friends from Sydney and surrounds. But they have plans to include more members and set up an organising committee.



Power does some of the administrative tasks for the teens, such as submitting the float application, but the decisions and direction of the float are up to them.



Their logo, the delightfully quirky "transburger", was designed by a member of the group and chosen by its members.

The group plans to march with a number of banners, some declaring messages along the lines of "Trans And Proud" and "Gender Freedom", and another to thank the trailblazing '78ers who marched at the first Mardi Gras in 1978 and were met with police violence and arrests.