What you need to know:

• Southern Cross Austereo is the radio partner for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
• The event was previously held by rival network, ARN.

SCA-owned radio station, 2DayFM, has struck a returning partnership with the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras which will be extended across the whole Hit Network.Rival radio network ARN had previously held the sponsorship.

As part of the 12-month partnership there will be initiatives and executions across the Hit Network’s 50 stations and digital assets.

2Day will provide ongoing support of the LGBTQIA+ community on key dates across the year such as International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, International Transgender Day of Visibility, National Coming Out Day and World AIDS Day.  

The Hit Network will also create the Hit Helpdesk – a dedicated hub with resources for old and young, who they can talk to and how they get in touch with them.  

This year's annual event, which runs from 19 February to 7 March, has undergone significant changes due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The main event of the festival, the annual parade, has moved from its usual location of Oxford Street, Sydney and will instead be held at the Sydney Cricket Ground, in a seated format.

“We are very excited about this returning relationship with Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is Sydney on show to the world and we feel incredibly passionate at 2DayFM about putting what resources we can behind shining a light on important LGBTQIA+ issues and uniting all communities," said Head of the Hit Network, Gemma Fordham.