Australian Aquarium Hosts Penguin Pride Parade Over 'Sydney Harbour Bridge'

In honor of Sydney WorldPride, penguins at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium took part in a world-first Penguin Pride Parade.

In footage released on Thursday, February 23, gentoo and king penguins proudly marched over a replica of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as keepers waved rainbow flags.

Sphen and Magic, the world-famous male, gentoo penguin couple even made a special guest appearance, standing under the bridge in prime spectator position.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is hosting WorldPride in 2023, an event which is awarded to a different host city every 2-3 years. Credit: SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium via Storyful

Video transcript

- And to make their way across the Harbor Bridge, now, they're heading off by Derek, who's actually represents-- we like to think he represents the asexual community.

Hi, everyone. My name is Scott, and I am joined here today by my co-host, Ali. And we're two penguin keepers, lucky enough to work here at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.

- We came today to celebrate the world's first pride penguin parade.

- The penguins of our sub-Antarctic exhibit love to show their pride and their love in many different ways.

- 2023 is a massive year to Sydney and Australia.

- It marks the 50th year of the first gay Pride Week.

- The 45th anniversary of the Sydney Mardi Gras parade.

- And the fifth year since marriage equality.

- Now, to celebrate Sydney Mardi Gras today--

- We're going to have the world's first pride penguin parade, where they're going to March across the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

- And to make their way across the Harbor Bridge, now they're heading off by Derek, who's actually represents-- we like to think he represents the asexual community. Now, up there as well, we do have Aurora, who is part of our bisexual polyamorous penguin couple.

- She's paired with [INAUDIBLE]. Her partner is just over [INAUDIBLE] one of their eggs right now. There's also odd ladies in the mix that. We are kind of looking at that love triangle and see who's going to win. I think this been delayed right now, but they do kind of represent how all of our penguins love does come in lots of different goals.

- Happy pride penguin parade from SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium.