Mardis Gras season kicks off

Rainbow banners are again flying high over Sydney's Town Hall for the start of the city's world famous gay and lesbian Mardi Gras season.

The red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet striped pennants are symbolic of the world famous two-and-a-half week festival.

The colours represent love, healing, sunlight, nature, harmony and spirit, Lord Mayor Clover Moore told a small gathering at the steps of Sydney's Town Hall on Friday morning.

Australian-born British gay human rights activist Peter Tatchell will launch proceedings on Saturday with an address at the Seymour Centre.

Mr Tatchell is co-ordinating an attempt in the European Court of Human Rights to overturn twin bans on gay marriages and heterosexual civil partnerships in the UK.

But the main Mardi Gras drawcard is the colourful parade of flesh-baring types which begins in Hyde Park and snakes up Oxford Street, to be held this year on March 5.

Sydney Council's float will be themed "One step closer to equality" to celebrate the recent passing of the Same Sex Adoption Bill in NSW.

Mardi Gras co-chair Peter Urmson said the format would be different to previous years, when a prominent member of the gay community would head the parade.

A number of people will share the honour in 2011, with the parade split into four groups - the first one being "heroes and celebrities".

It will include music critic Ian "Molly" Meldrum and gay comedian Lily Tomlin, who starred in the 1980s movie Nine to Five.

Don Baxter will also feature "in recognition of his contribution to HIV and Aids healthcare reform and rights", Mr Urmson said.

The parade costs $1.2 million and is partly funded by dance parties held throughout the Mardi Gras season.

Following a decline in numbers in recent years, Mr Urmson has urged Sydneysiders to put their dancing shoes on.

"Without their support, Mardi Gras would not exist," he said.