IF YOU are a person who identifies as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or elsewhere on the gender and sexuality spectrum, you can wake this morning more confident you are understood, accepted and loved for who you are.
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The inaugural Wagga Mardi Gras held in Baylis Street yesterday marked another enormous step forward in this city's maturity.
Just as attitudes have had to change in recent years to accept an influx of people from outside our shores, we are now opening our hearts and minds to those who have been living here all along, but unable to be themselves.
The same-sex marriage survey results in 2017, in which 55 per cent of the Riverina's respondents voted in favour of gay marriage, demonstrated there had been a shift in attitudes.
But yesterday's event, in terms of the number of people who paraded and the number of people who turned out to show their support, confirmed it.
It was a fun day, it was an emotional day, and it was a significant day.
The organisers, most notably Holly Conroy, deserve so much credit for their bravery and determination in getting this event off the ground.
It was terrific to see Wagga City Council enter a float too, proving it takes its responsibility to serve all residents - including the LGBTI ones - seriously.
On a personal note, I was thrilled to see The Daily Advertiser columnist Ray Goodlass in the parade. Kermit the Frog famously said "It's not easy being green". Well, Ray's been green and gay for decades and it hasn't been easy, but his contribution to this city should not be underestimated.
The Wagga community should be immensely proud of yesterday's mardi gras. Let's hope it is back bigger and better again next year.
All the best for the week ahead, Ross.