Meet some of the faces and stories of those who proudly marched in support of the LGBTQIPA+ community. 

Miss Poppie grew up in Tumut and lived in Wagga, but moved to Melbourne where she embraced her love of drag.

"When I heard about Wagga's first Mardi Gras, I just knew I had to be here," she said.

"I am over the moon and seeing so many businesses showing their support with rainbow flags is everything I could have wished for.

"I have been doing drag for two years."

Miss Poppie said she had always been in the performing arts but was keen to show off her drag talents to the region.

"I am wearing about four layers of tights, cinches on, bras on, heels on, but I am looking forward to it," she said.

"It took me three hours to get ready.

"Happy Mardi Gras. This isn't the end of the fight for equality, but it is great to see Wagga taking this step."

Cathy Conroy, the mother of Holly who organised the inaugural event, said she was so proud of her daughter and was excited to march behind the banner of Class of 77.

"When she told me she was transitioning, it was a huge shock, but we fully support her," she said.

Joshua Goyne, founder The Gay Cowboy, knows all too well the hardship the queer community can face.

"I am from Canberra, but we have a big spot in our heart for rural and regional organisations," he said.

"The Gay Cowboy was launched because a friend of mine committed suicide and I was also bullied horrendously.

"We are about to launch an app which detects if someone is in danger and reaches out to emergency services and their friends."

At his third rodeo, Mr Goyne was attacked and almost killed for being gay.

"They rigged a bull rope to me, but I am still riding," he said.

"I have faced death threats and people make references to AIDS and saying they wish they could kill me.

"So after this, it is amazing to be here for Wagga's first-ever Mardi Gras."

Ruby Fox, president of CSU Momentum, said being queer can be a struggle in regional areas and that is why the parade was so important.

"We've faced some struggles," she said. "So it's important that we have a strong and visible presence to show support, especially at this inaugural event.

"I am originally from a small town a couple of hours away from here, where it is dangerous to be open so it is wonderful to be able to be proud and queer here."

Ms Fox said having the first Mardi Gras will help open the conversation around equal rights and moving past tolerance to acceptance.

"There are certain stereotypes that exist around queer people in rural areas that don't have a prevalence in a metropolitan setting," she said.

"We are here and we are not going away.

"We are a welcoming, loving and supporting community and we bring a wonderful cultural nuance."

Matika Little, an organiser of the First Nations Float, said seeing the hundreds of people show up in support was "amazing".

"It is ten times better than I thought it would be and it looks like we would fit in with the Mardi Gras," she said.

"I think the fact that this is our first one, shows the times are changing and it's an inclusive representation."

Ms Little said it was great the First Nations float was leading the parade to represent Indigenous Australian history.

"Our number one goal is to share our support for the queer Indigenous community," she said.

Toni Watts, who also rode on the First Nations Float, said: "why not get involved in the Mardi Gras?".

"We have so many people who identify and I am a supporter," she said.

"As the kids say, it is all about love."

One mother was proudly representing Rainbow Parents.

"The organisation is people who are proud of their children or their substitute children," she said.

"It doesn't matter if your child is transgender, gay, lesbian - they're human beings and we love them dearly.

"That is what Rainbow Parents all about."

The parent said her daughter came out to her four years ago after struggling with it.

"She is a lesbian," she said.

"I nearly lost her to suicide, but I am so blessed that she is still here and she has a beautiful girlfriend.

"I hope we have a wedding soon and I say bring on the grandbabies."

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