The organisers of the Sydney Mardi Gras parade have asked police not to march in the annual LGBTQI event this weekend.
A representative for the police confirmed the decision on Monday night.
"The NSW Police Force has been advised that the Board of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has decided to withdraw the invitation to NSW Police to participate in this year's event," a spokesperson said in a statement.
"While disappointed with this outcome, NSW Police will continue to work closely with the LGBTIQA+ community and remain committed to working with organisers to provide a safe environment for all those participating in and supporting this Saturday's parade."
Debate over police participation in the Mardi Gras parade was reignited after an officer allegedly shot his ex-boyfriend and his new partner with his service gun.
Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, 28, is behind bars after being charged with murdering his former partner, ex-Ten reporter Jesse Baird, 26, and the man's new boyfriend Luke Davies, 29, in Sydney on February 19.
Investigators allege Lamarre-Condon's crimes followed a months-long campaign of "predatory behaviour," culminating in the fatal double shooting.
The senior constable had previously marched in the parade with the NSW Police contingent.
"In recent days many have voiced their concerns ... on whether it can still be a space to protest, celebrate and advocate for equality, as well as to honour and grieve for those we've lost, given the NSW Police's participation in this year's event," the Mardi Gras board said in a statement shared with media outlets.
The board said police participation in the march "could intensify the current feelings of sorrow and distress" in the grieving community.
"Our community needs space to grieve the loss of Jesse and Luke who, before this tragedy, would have been here celebrating with us at the Festival."
The advocacy group LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation said conversations about police participation in Mardi Gras should be kept separate from the issue of the alleged murders.
"This, as has been alleged by NSW Police, is a domestic and family violence crime and we must all acknowledge that this issue occurs at a disproportionately higher rate in LGBTQ+ communities," it said.
"Greater attention and focus needs to be on awareness, recognition and responses to domestic and family violence by our community, first responders, service providers and government."
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said excluding officers from the parade on Saturday would set the organisation's relationship with the gay and lesbian community backwards.
"We have been participating in Mardi Gras for the last 20 years and haven't missed a year ... it would be a real travesty for this organisation to be excluded (this year)," she told reporters earlier on Monday.
Premier Chris Minns backed police marching, saying not doing so would be a step backwards.
"There are many LGBTQI members of the NSW Police Force who, over the years, particularly senior officers that have had decades worth of service, would have battled prejudice within the workforce," he said.
"I think that NSW Police marching in the Mardi Gras parade is an important part of bringing the communities together."
Police involvement in the parade was already being debated within the LGBTQ community following a Special Commission of Inquiry into hate crimes.
In December, the Special Commission made 19 recommendations after investigating 32 suspicious deaths or unsolved murders of LGBTQ people over 40 years.
It found bias was a likely factor in 25 cases and described police in many cases as "indifferent, negligent, dismissive or hostile".
The annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade will take place on Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade on March 2.
If this has raised any issues for you, or if you just feel like you need to speak to someone, please call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) – the national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service.
-With AAP.
Feature image: AAP.
Top Comments
Personally, I think that many in the LGBTIQ community would be triggered at the sight of a police uniform, given the history of police brutality and I'm not sure why they need to be the ones who are accommodating. Perhaps the police could take a step back, recognise the harm they have caused and allow LGBTIQ people to feel comfortable and deal with this event as they see fit.