Sport of queens as Sydney hosts gay race day
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Six drag queens broke out of the barriers and charged up the course in their dresses on Friday as Sydney hosted what was billed as the world's first gay race day.
Bright frocks, high heels and large wigs were on show for the Royal Randwick Racecourse's Pink Stiletto Race Day, a fund-raiser for this weekend's renowned Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
"It's worked perfectly," said Nicole Kolotas from organising charity, the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation. "It's been very popular. Everyone is dressed up; people are wearing pink."
Six men dressed in drag - including pearls, wigs and feather boa - shed their heels for 50 metre (yard) Pink Stiletto Queen race in front of several thousand fans in the racecourse's giant grandstand.
"They are all done up and everything. But they weren't allowed to wear their platforms, they ran barefoot," Kolotas told AFP.
The event, held in conjunction with the Australian Jockey Club, had the support of leading Australia trainer Gai Waterhouse.
"I'm delighted to be 'coming out' at the Pink Stiletto race day and joining the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation in what will be the world's first gay race day," Waterhouse said ahead of the event.
Organisers said they had raised more than 30,000 dollars (almost 27,000 US) for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation which provides practical, emotional and financial support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments