Tour De Pride: A virtual ride through Sydney’s queer landmarks

[Bright, bubbly intro music plays]

A drag queen Raine Ingmenn with bright makeup, a gold helmet, and a teal wig rides a teal bicycle with a bubble machine attached to the back. She rides along a rainbow-coloured path in a sunny park. Bubbles float into the air from the machine. The bicycle has a rainbow-coloured license plate that reads “YES.”

On-screen text: 'OPTUS presents Tour de pride Equality Green'.

She wears a shimmering gold outfit with floral accents. She pedals forward, smiling at the camera. Bubbles swirl around her. She giggles and as she rings the bicycle bell, floral illustrations fill the screen.
AUDIO: "Here I come!"

The drag queen Raine Ingmenn starts walking towards the camera on the rainbow-coloured path.

On-screen text: “Raine Ingmenn, Optus Pride Guide.”

AUDIO: "Hey, petals! We're at Equality Green, where Australia collectively said “I do”! Back in November 2017, over 30,000 people crammed Prince Alfred Park for the result of the marriage equality vote."

Scene changes to archival footage of a large outdoor gathering for a celebration at a pride event. The crowd cheers and waves rainbow flags on a sunny day as the vote results are read, with celebratory floral illustrations popping on screen.

Credit text overlay: 'Credit: City of Sydney'. 

AUDIO: (from the City of Sydney footage) "Yes responses representing 61.6%.” 
The drag queen Raine Ingmenn reappears walking on the rainbow path, speaking and gesturing with her hands.

AUDIO: “Over 60% of people in Australia said yes. It was total pandemonium, strangers hugging, love exploding everywhere."
We see scenes of crowd celebrations: people hugging, gold ‘L.O.V.E’ balloons and pride flags.

AUDIO: "It was just amazing. Optus also says YES to pride like that." 

The drag queen Raine Ingmenn smiles and gestures to the rainbow path. There is a close-up shot of the rainbow-coloured path at Equality Green.

AUDIO: "Now the rainbow path here is a symbol that love lives on."

The scene cuts to a close shot of rainbow-coloured flags. Then we see a park with crowds enjoying picnics.

AUDIO: "It's a great spot for a picnic before the Mardi Gras Parade, or all year round."

The word 'YES' appears in yellow script across the screen.

AUDIO: "YAS."

The screen cuts to the end card. It is a solid teal colour with a title card showing the Optus logo and 'SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS' logo.
 

[Bright, bubbly intro music plays]

We open on a close-up of a teal bicycle with colourful streamers, a basket full of flowers and a rainbow-coloured license plate reading “YES”. Bubbles float from a bubble machine attached to the back.

On-screen text: ‘OPTUS presents Tour De Pride Rainbow Crossing’

A drag queen Raine Ingmenn with bright makeup, a gold helmet and a teal wig rides the bicycle. She wears a shimmering gold outfit with floral accents. She rides around spreading bubbles, smiling at the camera and then dismounts to walk the bicycle across the rainbow crossing.

AUDIO: "Let's go!"

AUDIO: "Welcome to the Tour of the Pride, babes, your private ride through queer Sydney”. 

On-screen text: ‘Raine Ingmenn Optus Pride Guide.’

The camera zooms in to a street directory sign at Taylor Square, Sydney Australia. 

AUDIO: “This stop is Taylor Square's rainbow crossing. First painted in 2013 for Mardi Gras’ 35th birthday and taken away in the middle of the night."

The camera pans across Taylor Square’s iconic rainbow pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians walk across the vibrant stripes.

The camera continues to pan across the colourful crossing and urban landscape, capturing street signs, art and water fountains. 

AUDIO: "It hurt, but our colours came back stronger”. 

The Pride Progress flag waves against the blue sky.

AUDIO: “Now we have two, the baby one on Forbes Street and the OG mother here on Bourke Street with a Progress Pride Flag."

The drag queen speaks directly to the camera. The camera pans across Taylor Square’s iconic rainbow pedestrian crossing.

AUDIO: "People of colour and our trans family represent."

Video cuts to nighttime footage of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade, showing energetic dancers in silver tops, teal skirts and feathered headdresses performing on the Optus float.

AUDIO: "Mardi Gras Parade rolls right past these rainbows every year. If you're lucky, you can catch my friends on the Optus float slaying for those who've marched to make this possible."

VISUAL: The screen cuts to the end card. It is a solid teal colour with a title card showing the Optus logo and 'SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS' logo.
 

[Bright, bubbly intro music plays]

We open on a close-up of a teal bicycle with colourful streamers, a basket full of flowers and a rainbow-coloured license plate reading “YES”. Bubbles float from a bubble machine attached to the back.

On-screen text: “OPTUS presents Tour de Pride Qtopia Sydney.”

We see drag queen Raine Ingmenn in a shimmering gold jumpsuit, teal wig, dramatic makeup and a gold helmet riding the bicycle through a vibrant urban outdoor daytime street scene. 

The camera pans to a sign on a building reading “Qtopia Sydney Centre for Queer History & Culture” and then shows the “THE SUBSTATION” Qtopia sign.

AUDIO: “Hello! Come with me to Qtopia Sydney darlings.”

A drone shot from above shows a large group of people gathered on a rainbow crosswalk outside Qtopia in Sydney, Australia. Many wear 78ers shirts, with a Pride Progress flag overhead. 

On-screen text: “Raine Ingmenn Optus Pride Guide.”

AUDIO: “This old police station used to lock us up, but now it's unlocking queer history. Qtopia Sydney is the world’s largest centre for queer culture, and it's right here in Darlinghurst.”

The drag queen Raine Ingmenn enters the Qtopia building. We see an indoor event space with ambient lighting. Display mannequins showcase an assortment of elaborate drag costumes: colourful sequin outfits, wigs and headdresses. One of them is a rhinestone yellow lemon-slice hat. 

The scene cuts to a gathering of artists, presenters and patrons of Qtopia Sydney engaging at exhibitions inside the building. The scene cuts to an exterior of Qtopia Sydney to show the round shape of the building’s facade.

AUDIO: “The work of nearly 800 artists has been celebrated here, and just look at these curves, it’s giving Mardi Gras energy”

We see a scene of performers on stage singing, acting, in discussion panels and hugging post show. It cuts to the drag queen getting hair and makeup touchups.

On-screen text: Credit: QTOPIA Sydney

AUDIO: “Qtopia Sydney’s 2026 theatre season is bigger and bolder than ever. Just like me. Ride on in, take a tour, and fill the stories within these walls.”

The screen cuts to the end card. It is a solid teal colour with a title card showing the Optus logo and 'SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS' logo.
 

[Bright, bubbly intro music plays]

The scene opens on a close-up of a teal bicycle with colourful streamers, a basket full of flowers and a rainbow-coloured license plate reading “YES”. Bubbles float from a bubble machine attached to the back. In the background is a wall of flowers.

On-screen text: ‘OPTUS presents Tour de Pride St Vincent’s Hospital.’

The scene shows a montage of directional street signs, showing directions to Oxford Street, Taylor Square, St Vincent’s Hospital, Paddington Town Hall, and other Sydney locations. A large rainbow mural with two faces and flowers is visible on a building in the background.
The scene cuts to drag queen Raine Ingmenn in a shimmering gold jumpsuit, teal wig, dramatic makeup and a gold helmet slowly walking the bicycle down a pathway as sunlight filters through the trees. 

On-screen text: ‘Raine Ingmenn Optus Pride Guide.’

AUDIO: Music changes from bubbly to slower simple piano.

AUDIO: “Sharing my heart here, babes.”

The scene shows a montage of archival footage: a hospital sign shows ‘ST VINCENT’S HOSPITAL MAIN ENTRANCE’, people in hospital beds with medical professionals attending to them. 

AUDIO: “We are here at St. Vincent’s Hospital where Ward 17 South opened in 1985 as Australia’s first dedicated HIV/AIDS unit.”

On-screen text: ‘Credit: St Vincent’s Curran Foundation’

A hospital room interior shows a bed with a red kimono draped on it, a bedside table, and equipment.
The scene cuts back to drag queen Raine Ingmenn talking to camera, standing with the decorated bike outside St.Vincent’s Hospital.

AUDIO: “Back then, some families may have turned away in fear but the staff never did.”

On-screen text: ‘Credit: QTOPIA Sydney’
Archival footage shows a hospital patient receiving care from a medical professional.

AUDIO: “Nurses sat at patients’ bedsides, held hands, and even marched at Mardi Gras with patients’ ashes to make sure that they were seen and remained remembered.”

On-screen text: ‘Credit: St Vincent’s Curran Foundation’
The scene cuts to a rainbow mural on a wall painted with the Pride flag and a plaque with the words ‘Wall of love’. 
The next scene shows drag queen Raine Ingmenn again standing with the bicycle outside of St Vincent’s Hospital.

AUDIO: “The heart that they shared helped to heal even more than we know. Thank you for sharing the love.”

On-screen text: ‘Credit: St Vincent’s Curran Foundation’
The end scene shows drag queen Raine Ingmenn making a heart shape with her hands.

On-screen text: ‘Yes’

The screen cuts to the end card. It is a solid teal colour with a title card showing the Optus logo and 'SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS' logo.
 
 

[Bright, bubbly intro music plays]

The scene opens on a close-up of a teal bicycle with colourful streamers, a basket full of flowers and a rainbow-coloured license plate reading “YES”. Bubbles float from a bubble machine attached to the back. In the background, there is a mural of two Indigenous people embracing.

On-screen text: ‘OPTUS presents Tour de Pride Darlinghurst Road’ 
Drag queen Raine Ingmenn wears a shimmering gold jumpsuit, teal wig, dramatic makeup and walks down an urban street. The large Coca-Cola sign at Kings Cross is visible in the background.

A woman wearing a black t-shirt with pink symbol/text for the ‘78ers’ stands beside the drag queen. Pedestrians and passing cars are visible behind them.

On-screen text: ‘Raine Ingmenn Optus Pride Guide.’ 

AUDIO: “Hello! I’m here at the iconic Darlinghurst Road, and I’m joined by Kate, an OG 78er from the first Mardi Gras.”

The drag queen gently reached to connect with Kate’s arm. Cars and pedestrians move through the street. 

AUDIO: “Kate, that day went down in history.” 
“(Kate) It turned out to be a historical day, and Darlinghurst Road is where we were all surrounded by police and started knocking people off.”

There is a montage of historical scenes from the first Mardi Gras parade in 1978 with people walking and dancing joyfully. A police officer is seen rounding up the crowd to move.

AUDIO: “I got bashed and thrown into a paddy wagon along with 53 other people, and we all went to central. And that was the start of the political initiatives and change for gay and lesbian rights.”

The drag queen and Kate stand side by side, facing each other in front of the Coca-Cola sign at Kings Cross.

AUDIO: “What does pride mean to you?”

Kate speaks, smiling. A montage of Mardi Gras parade celebrations begin. People in colourful costumes dance routines as they march, waving rainbow flags and fans. The scene shows close-ups of people smiling and celebrating in the nighttime street parade, wearing feathers, wings, glitter and sequins as confetti rains down while they dance.  

AUDIO: “(Kate) So pride means change, pride means celebration, pride means me feeling so good when I see young people just being able to be themselves, and it’s okay.”

On-screen text: ‘Credit: Sydney Mardi Gras’

The scene returns to the daytime street with the drag queen and 78er Kate. 

AUDIO: “What will you be saying yes to this Mardi Gras?”

Kate answers while gesturing.

AUDIO: “(Kate)I’ll be saying yes to inclusion, yes to celebration, and yes to progression.”

A parade procession appears with the participants wearing the same 78ers shirt as Kate and a banner reading “78ers - 1978 FIRST GAY & LESBIAN MARDI GRAS.” Pink confetti falls as people cheer and wave. 

AUDIO: “Kate, your fight set us free. Now this street celebrates everything that you and the other 78ers have started.”

On-screen text: ‘Credit: Sydney Mardi Gras’
The drag queen leans in and pulls Kate into a warm hug. Camera zooms in.

AUDIO: “Thank you so much” “(Kate) Thank you gorgeous” 

The screen cuts to the end card. It is a solid teal colour with a title card showing the Optus logo and 'SYDNEY GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS' logo.

We hear the soft ring of a bike bell. Wind, gentle coastal atmosphere.

Raine: “For this stop on our tour, we’re slowing things down for a moment of reflection. 

This is The Bondi Memorial: Rise, here on the cliff tops at Marks Park. If you listen carefully you might be able to hear the waves crashing.

Pauses

It’s a place that honours the lives lost, and the incredible survivors, of the homophobic and transphobic violence that shook Sydney from the seventies to the nineties. 

It’s a painful chapter in our history… But this memorial stands to help us heal, to remember, and to keep pushing for truth and justice. Because many of those cases were never solved and their stories still deserve answers. 

Let’s take a moment here. And when we’re ready, let’s ride on carrying their memory with pride.”
 

Soft bike bell. Ambient harbour sounds. Footsteps on timber wharf.

Raine: “Welcome back to the Tour de Pride. We’ve glided our way into Walsh Bay, Sydney’s gorgeous little kingdom of culture, right on the beautiful harbour.

This precinct is home to some of Australia’s biggest arts powerhouses: Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra… the whole gang. And honey, when this many creatives gather in one place, you know the queer energy is blooming. 

Queer artists have always found a home in places like this. On these stages and in these studios, our narratives get to sparkle, be celebrated… and most importantly be seen.

This is where creativity blooms and where queer culture takes centre stage.  

Meet you at the next stop!”

Bike bell dings as Raine rides off into the distance. 
 

Bike bell. Oxford Street ambience, distant disco music, laughter, footsteps, traffic.

Raine: Alright, saddle up! We’ve arrived at a truly iconic stop on our Tour de Pride. This humble spot at 33 Oxford Street was once home to Patch’s nightclub. One of the beating hearts of Sydney’s queer nightlife from ‘79 to ‘89. 

Now, the club itself might be gone, but honey, the memories? The legends? The ghosts of a thousand dance floors? Very much still here. Listen closely, I bet you can hear Diana Ross.

Patch’s was part of the Golden Mile, the glittering stretch where queer people could finally show up, show out and be themselves under the bright, neon lights. 

Even though the walls have changed, the spirit of the iconic club is still woven into Oxford Street.”

Bike bell dings as Raine rides off into the distance.