On June 24, 1978, a small group of gay and lesbians (known as the Gay Solidarity Group) organised a day of activities in Sydney. Promoting gay and lesbian culture and inspiring political activism against the prejudice they frequently faced were the goals. The group planned a street parade at night, and a dawn march and public meeting in the morning. The aggressive police response to the event gained widespread media attention and contributed to the parade becoming an annual event. This was the first Sydney Gay And Lesbian Mardi Gras (SGLMG).