Penguin power couple Sphen and Magic are going to Mardi Gras!

A waddling extravaganza is headed down the Mardi Gras Parade at the Sydney Cricket Ground this year with a very loud and very proud message – incorporate more LGBTQI+ content and diverse families into NSW’s curriculum!

We have coupled up with the NSW Teachers Federation to take GIANT inflatable versions of our famous male-male Gentoo Penguin couple Sphen and Magic and their two chicks to Mardi Gras on 6 March 2021.

With the aquarium’s full support, the Federation’s float will pay homage to the internationally recognised penguin family while sending a message of love and support to all rainbow families – especially those with young children in school.

The float will feature two large versions of the penguin parents wearing rainbow bowties to communicate their same-sex attraction. Following the dapper duo will be smaller penguins representing the pair’s healthy chicks and their beautiful rainbow family. Additional participants will wear sequinned dinner jackets aka penguin suits with rainbow bowties while dancing and marching with inflatable balls symbolising snow.

“We are incredibly honoured to have made friends with an organisation that is as motivated to support LGBTQI+ communities and rainbow families as much as we are here at SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium,” said Richard Dilly, SEA LIFE Sydney Aquarium’s General Manager. “Young people need and deserve to see themselves reflected in the content that they learn at school and we hope Sphen and Magic’s inflatable replicas at Mardi Gras can contribute to ensuring this happens now and in the future.”

“In 2020 Federation was attacked by One Nation in NSW for encouraging teachers to incorporate diverse families in their curriculum. We know that it’s vitally important for young people to see themselves reflected in the content that they learn in order to feel connected to their school experience, as well as to feel seen and acknowledged,” said Mel Smith, Deputy Secretary Communications and Administration and Officer attached to LGBTQI Matters.

“The family mentioned in Federation’s training was Sydney’s own same sex penguin couple Sphen and Magic. So, as a result, our float this year pays homage to Sphen, Magic and their two chicks, and sends a message of love and support to all rainbow families - especially those with young children in school. The float sends a message that we will not be bullied into silence and that we celebrate our LGBTIQ members, students and community - including our gay penguin neighbours.”

Learn more about the NSW Teachers Federation and its mission to incorporate more LGBTQI+ friendly content in NSW’s curriculum by clicking here. You can also learn and follow Sphen and Magic’s full love story or book a visit to meet them in person!

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