Last year he was banned from the May 24 parade but yesterday the Island’s best-known drag queen walked the streets of Hamilton with pride as an official part of the Bermuda Day celebrations.

Mark Anderson, the self-styled Queen of Bermuda who goes by the stage name Sybil Barrington, dazzled the crowds as he sashayed along in a brightly-coloured silk couture gown and flamboyant blonde wig.

Mr. Anderson, who was refused permission to take part by Government in 2006 after he controversially dubbed himself Queen of the Gombeys, said the reaction from onlookers this year was tremendous. “This year it was overwhelmingly a wonderful response,” he said. “There were a few negative comments, maybe five or six, but that’s okay. This was my third year taking part but my second official entry. I’m looking forward to many, many, many more appearances.”

Mr. Anderson was accompanied by his mother, Leonette Anderson, who took part in the parade to support her son. She said: “I came with him today just to show people that we have to love our children unconditionally. There are so many gay people that are shut out from their families and they come to me and say ‘it’s so beautiful, the relationship you have with your son’.”

Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief, who is responsible for the May 24 parade, said he was happy to see Sybil involved. “It’s really about inclusiveness. There was no problem with him taking part.”