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Sydney-San Francisco Sister City Relationship

Sydney-San Francisco Sister City Relationship

The long link between Sydney and San Francisco was formally recognised by City of Sydney in 1968 by the establishment of Sydney’s first city-to-city partnership which aimed to:

“Stimulate the already existing friendship between two Pacific port cities and to strengthen civic, cultural, business, trade tourism and sporting ties.”

In 1977 San Francisco gay activists wrote to Sydney requesting support for US action against homophobia that initiated, in 1978, what became the first Sydney Gay Mardi Gras.

2008 marked the 40th Anniversary of they Sydney-San Francisco Sister City relationship, which also coincided with the 30th Anniversary of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.

In February 2008, a ‘Citizens Group’ delegation led by the Honourable Bevan Dufty, Member, Board of Supervisors, City and County of San Francisco visited Sydney to participate in the 30th Anniversary of Mardi Gras and attend a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore MP, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of our Sister City relationship.

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore MP with City and County of San Francisco delegates - Hon Bevan Dufty, Supervisor and Hon Jose Cisneros, Treasurer, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Sydney and San Francisco’s Sister City relationship, Town Hall House, February 2008.

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore MP and Councillor Black with City and County of San Francisco delegates - Hon Bevan Dufty, Supervisor and Hon Jose Cisneros, Treasurer, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Sydney and San Francisco’s Sister City relationship, Town Hall House, February 2008.

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore MP with City and County of San Francisco delegates - Hon Bevan Dufty, Supervisor and Hon Jose Cisneros, Treasurer, celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Sydney and San Francisco’s Sister City relationship, Town Hall House, February 2008.

Following the visit of this delegation to Sydney, the Mayor of San Francisco, Gavin Newsom extended an invitation to participate in the 38th Annual San Francisco LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Pride celebrations in June 2008.

Mayor Newsom wrote that:

“It is important that San Francisco and Sydney continue to provide opportunities for our city officials and citizens to experience and explore our respective cultures through long term partnerships
and frequent exchanges.”

More information

For more information on the Sydney-San Francisco Sister City relationship, contact:

Toola Andrianopoulos
Protocol Project Coordinator
Tel: (02) 9246 7602
Email: tandrianopoulos@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

 

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