We're one law reform short from equality - for marriage equality," he said. Parade chief Michael Rolik said while the recognition of equality for the gay community had greatly improved, there were still many prejudices prevalent in society. The ADF officer in charge of the parade, Squadron Leader Vince Chong, said the growing participation showed that Defence culture was changing for the better. This year's parade also saw the largest number of Defence Force members ever to take part in the event. "As long as even one gay or lesbian kid is afraid to play sport, one of Australia's defining activities, for fear of being denounced, Mardi Gras has a purpose." "This fight against discrimination in sport is part of the great civil rights struggle that Sydney's Mardi Gras has led in Australia for 37 years," Ignatius Jones, Mardi Gras' senior parade creative consultant, said. The first three floats in this year's parade centred on the success of elite gay athletes, the commitment by Australian sporting organisations to a more diverse and inclusive sporting environment, and the success of the Sydney Convicts, who last year won the Bingham Cup - the world cup of gay rugby. Several high profile athletes, including former Olympians and football players, took part in the parade. The event is in its 37th year with more than 10,000 people - and half a tonne of glitter - involved in this year's parade. There were about 150 floats spanning five kilometres in the parade on Saturday night, with themes covering a range of topics including anti-homophobia in sport and marriage equality. Thousands of spectators have descended on Sydney for this year's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade.