Oxford Street is the undeniable heart of queer Sydney—a legendary strip that has pulsed with protest, pride, and party for decades. Stretching from the CBD through Darlinghurst and Paddington, this iconic thoroughfare has been the stage for the annual Mardi Gras Parade since the 1978 protests, marking it as a sacred site of resistance and celebration for LGBTQ+ communities. It’s where generations have marched for rights, danced for joy, and built spaces of defiant queer visibility.

The street is home to beloved venues like Stonewall Hotel and Universal, queer bookshops and galleries, and community institutions that keep its legacy alive. Recent years have seen a push for revitalisation, with pop-ups, public art, and renewed support for queer events injecting fresh energy. Whether you’re here to party, protest, or pay homage, Oxford Street still radiates pride.

Taylor Square sits at the crossroads of Oxford Street and Flinders Street, and for decades it’s been the unofficial town square of queer Sydney—where rallies begin, parties spill out, and Mardi Gras magic reaches its peak. Surrounded by iconic venues like Kinselas, Stonewall Hotel, known for its drag shows and late-night dance floors, and Qtopia museum documenting the queer history of Sydney, the square buzzes with life day and night. It's a hotspot for queer visibility, creativity, and connection, acting as both a gathering point for celebration and a symbol of enduring queer resilience.