Australia and Oceania have an active LGBTQ+ community. Australia legalized same-sex marriage in 2017 after a referendum and has strong anti-discrimination laws. New Zealand was the first country in the region to achieve marriage equality in 2013.
The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is one of the most famous LGBTQ+ events worldwide, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Auckland and Melbourne also have significant Pride events. The Pacific island nations show a mixed picture, with some still having colonial laws against homosexuality.