Today, five street art installations were unveiled across Australia, celebrating some of Australia’s top LGBTQ+ creators ahead of this weekend’s Mardi Gras Parade. Although, this year’s parade might be different—a ticketed event being one—the parade is to be a sparkling showcaseof LGBTQI+ culture and community.
Instagram partnered with LGBTQ+ creators including musicians Troye Sivan and Cub Sport, Olympian Michelle Heyman, Indigenous drag performer Felicia Foxx, trans model AJ Clementine, comedian Jeff van de Zandt, and more to celebrate Mardi Gras 2021 with the installation of the street art murals.
Each mural highlights that Australian city’s local ‘Rising Heroes’ from the queer community on Instagram. The murals feature a quote from the featured creator sharing what they ‘Rise’ for, in line with this year’s Mardi Gras theme. There is also a QR code on the murals, which will take you to the ‘Safe & Strong 2021’ Safety and Wellbeing Guide for the LGBTQ+ Community on Facebook and Instagram.
The Guide was launched last week in partnership with Trans Pride Australia, Black Rainbow, ACON, Twenty10 and Minus18.
Instagram’s Rising Heroes’ Mardi Gras campaign also includes new in-app features to celebrate Mardi Gras and the LGBTQ+ community including rainbow hashtags, rainbow story rings, and a shared Mardi Gras story this Saturday 6 March which will showcase Mardi Gras posts from the people you follow.
Where you can see them:
Sydney
“We rise for First Nations Visibility and for our Ancestors” The Sydney mural is located on Elizabeth Street, on the corner of Randall Street in Surry Hills. It was created by Megan Hales and features @iam_deadly_feliciafoxx and @nessaturnbullroberts.
“I Rise for Community” The Perth mural features Troy Sivan situated on Charles Street, on the corner of Newcastle Street in West Perth. It was created by Jerome Davenport.
Brisbane
“We rise for freedom” Located on 16 Peel St, in South Brisbane, this mural by Gus Eagleton features @cubsport.
Canberra
“I Rise to Inspire Others to Live as their True Selves” In Canberra, you will find Megan Hales second mural at 16 Bunda St. The artwork features footballer, and olympian, Michelle Heyman.
Mexican restaurant chain Mad Mex has dropped a new protein, and it’s one of the most popular street foods in Mexico.
Enter, Chicken Al Pastor. It’s traditionally made with pork and grilled on a spinning rotisserie with a pineapple sitting a top, but Mad Mex has put its own spin on it, serving chicken bathed in an Al Pastor marinade with a touch of juicy pineapple.
You can order the protein-packed filling in your favourite burrito, bowl, quesadilla, nachos, or in a taco.
As always, these things are here for a good time, not a long time. Pop into your local Mad Mex restaurant, order delivery or through the Mad Mex app today.
