They may have travelled 4000 kilometres to Sydney, but for the Sistagirls of the Tiwi Islands the journey beganfour generations ago.

For the first time, the LGBTIQ group from the remote islands 80 kilometres north of Darwin will perform in Saturday's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

"I'm excited but nervous", says lead act Shaun Kerinaiua, 24.

While many of the performers in tonight's parade are younger, the Sistagirls' struggle for acceptance by their elders and community started in the 1950s, she says.

"'Sistagirl' is a word that we use for all LGBTIQ people in our community. You could be a gay man, or bisexual or transgender we want to beinclusive," Kerinaiua says.

"There's been about four generations of Sistagirls The first generation faced terrible stigma and discrimination, and had very hurtful experiences but they paved the way for my generation, which has had much more acceptance and community support."

The Sistagirls have waged a long battle to raise awareness about the issues facing indigenous LGBTIQ people and to gain acceptance among their peers. Four suicides in the LGBTIQ community in the eight years to 2008 rocked the tiny islands, shining a light on the bullying, isolation and hardship many Sistagirls suffered.

But in 2008, Tiwi elders held their first ceremony with the Sistagirls, marking a turning point after decades of struggle.

On Saturday, the group will wear both traditional costumes and drag outfits with Tiwi designs hand-printed in rainbow colours to celebrate the intersection of Tiwi culture and queer culture.

"The Tiwi people have a strong culture. Even though we identify as LGBTIQ, we still practice our culture, our language, our kinship and our connection to country that is a must for us," Kerinaiua says.

The group number nearly 30 and hopes its presence in the parade will help to shine a light on the difficulties many people in remote communities face in gaining acceptance of their sexual identity.

"We need to be more aware of people who are struggling with their identity and having a hard time gaining acceptance," Kerinaiua says.

"We didn't want to lose any more girls."

Read this article:

Tiwi Islands LGBTIQ group joins Sydney Mardi Gras parade for the first time - The Sydney Morning Herald