Mardi Gras 2026 is just around the corner on February 28th! This year marks the 48th annual parade and The Neurodivergent Rainbow's 8th year of participation. Mardi Gras is a celebration of diversity, where everyone is welcome and celebrated no matter how you identify. The Neurodivergent Rainbow is a united group of Aspect staff, students, participants, and autistic community members walking together as one unified and proud group.

Aspect aims to empower our community to express their individuality and strengths. Given the significant overlap between autism and the LGBTQIA+ community, visibility and acceptance are crucial. By marching in Mardi Gras, Aspect is creating a platform for understanding and celebrating the unique qualities of our community allowing for staff and those we support to experience freedom to be who they are and to be proud of it.

2026 Neurodivergent Rainbow theme

Our creative concept for Mardi Gras 2026 is UNMASKED. Masking within the neurodivergent community is defined as ‘the conscious or unconscious suppression of natural neurodivergent traits and behaviors to appear more neurotypical in social situations’ (Masking and Unmasking) and this ‘social camouflaging’ is often directly related to the avoidance of stigma and possible harm ("Masking Is Life")

Masking and the need to mask is estimated to ‘affect between 70 and 90% of neurodivergent people’ internationally(Masking and Unmasking), and is often simply an everyday exhausting way of life for those on the neurodivergent spectrum.

Masking as a concept has often been described as similar to the experience of suppressing outwardly queer traits or methods of expression in order to appear ‘straight-passing’. This connection between masking and feeling unsafe to ‘come out’ or the feeling of being 'closeted' to prevent harm or judgement, is incredibly important with the combined neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ community.

The Neurodivergent Rainbow through this year’s marching group aims to show to the world that dropping the mask and showing who you truly are is both an act of joy and freedom but also an act of resistance and connection to self. Our group aims to empower neurodivergent people and their many intersections to be UNMASKED and express who they truly are, completely and unfiltered, free from shame, stigma and judgement. Our theme will be displayed through a masquerade ball-esque celebration with gold removable masks as its main focal piece.

Here are a few of our plans and things to consider before submitting your EOI:

This year The Neurodivergent Rainbow will have space for a maximum for 50 participants to march. We will not have a vehicle that can carry parade participants so if you’d like to express your interest, please make sure you are able to participate in the physical requirements of the parade detailed in the Mardi Gras Terms and Conditions linked on the side.

The Parade route is on Oxford Street and begins from Whitlam Square, ending at the Tibby Cotter Bridge, a total distance of 1.7 kilometers (35 minutes).

Expression of Interest closes on the 29th of January.

Priority participant spaces will be given to Autistic LGBTQIA+ people and their support people/workers.

For more information you can email us directly