Gearing up for the Mardi Gras AGM this morning, hundreds of proxies in attendees hands. looks like it's gonna get tense in here #PrideInProtest #MardiGrasAGM

The co-chairs discuss in their report back their decision to keep the organisations name as "Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras" despite controversy surrounding the name - for the reason of awaiting further consultation with the community and the membership.

#WorldPride2023 to be run by an independent board and not Mardi Gras - a company that was incorporated yesterday.

A 78'er asks why we recognise First Nations people but not the 78'ers.

A questioner asks why corporate float KISS FM is given a float given Karl Sandilands consistent homophobia and transphobia #MardiGras2019

Co-Chair states they reject many corporate sponsors but they don't publically talk about it, re-affirming the float is for Kiss FM and not Sandilands.

the #WorldPride2023 board will not be democratically elected buy rather be "skills based."

Candidates for the board now deliver their candidate statements. I had to go first. It was awful.

Charlie Murphy delivers a heartfelt bid for board with experience as a volunteer for Mardi Gras and activist group TransAction Warrang. Huge applause !

Speakers talk to the motion for reducing membership: a $10 concession membership with voting rights and $20 for Australian residents. Liz Dodds speaks against the motion because people stack the board with voting rights.

With a 25% increase in fees Mardi Gras saw a 24% decrease in membership. Speakers for the motion noted Brisbane Pride membership is $5. A speaker against still maintains concession membership should be lower.

The motion fails.

Evan Van Zijl speaks to disinviting Scott Morrison from Mardi Gras based on religious freedoms bills. People speak against the motion saying it's tokenistic and all should be welcome. Riki Scanlan responds saying rather it's symbolic.

a ModLib states he can't stand ScoMo but that passing this motion means we could never again invite a PM to the parade.

The motion fails.

. @FightLoudly speaks to reviewing corporate sponsors on human rights grounds. Particularly Gilead, Qantas, and ANZ and urges the board to vote for an ethics charter. Holly Brooke references London Pride's response to British Airways which resulted in BA not deporting refugees

An amendment to seperate the motion passed. Motions to condemn the three companies will be voted on seperately, followed by a motion to established an ethics charter.

The procedural motion succeeds! (yay!) it looks like @sydneymardigras is about to condemn either Qantas, Gilead or ANZ... let's wait and see. Speakers against raise financial risks to the parade. Speakers for reference the real refugee lives we can save from deportation if passed

The motion passed! @sydneymardigras condemns Gilead for price gouging of PrEP in the US!

Motions to condemn Qantas and ANZ fail.

Motion for an Ethics Charter passes!!!!

Motion 4 is the removal of the police float from Mardi Gras Parade. Evan Van Zijl speaks to the motion. A speaker against notes we should forgive police and teach them how we should be treated. Hayden Moon notes police brutality occurs still amongst Aboriginal and queer groups.

The motion is lost.

We now move on to a motion to support the global climate strike.

The motion loses by quite a lot. No sympathy for climate strikes in Mardi Gras it seems.

and that's a wrap everyone! thanks for tuning in!

Charlie Murphy is elected to the Mardi Gras board! Congratulations!!

and thanks to the 19 people who voted for me and no thank you to half those 19 who preferenced people who weren't pride in protest under me