Sydney Mardi Gras Votes to Keep Police in Parade: A Controversial Decision Sparks Debate on Inclusivity and Safety

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras annual general meeting has rejected a proposal to prohibit NSW Police from participating in the next parade, allowing them to apply for participation alongside other groups.

P24 News Media

December 07, 2024

1 minute

Sydney Mardi Gras Votes to Keep Police in Parade: A Controversial Decision Sparks Debate on Inclusivity and Safety

India

A motion aimed at prohibiting the New South Wales Police from participating in the upcoming Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras has been rejected. During the annual general meeting held on Saturday morning, three distinct proposals concerning the police's participation were examined and ultimately voted down.

This decision keeps the current arrangement intact, meaning that the NSW Police will have to formally apply to join the parade, just like any other group participating in the event. The first rejected proposal came from the board itself and was narrowly defeated. This motion was grounded in community feedback and suggested that the police should not participate "until such time as they demonstrate a commitment to improving relationships with LGBTQIA+ communities."

The second motion, also narrowly defeated, was put forth by Rainbow Labor. It would have allowed police to march, provided they did so out of uniform and without their service weapons. Further complicating the conversation, a former officer disclosed experiences of homophobia while serving, highlighting a culture within the police force that has been criticized. This former sergeant recounted instances of hearing "extremely homophobic" comments during the recent Sydney WorldPride 2023 event.

Adding to the debate, the proposal from Pride in Protest sought to completely exclude police from the parade. This group has persistently advocated for police exclusion, arguing that a culture of homophobia exists within the force and asserting that police have maintained an adversarial stance regarding unresolved cases of gay hate crimes. This scrutiny follows a detailed investigation by ABC News, which revealed additional allegations of homophobia and bullying within the police force.

The inclusion of police in the Mardi Gras has been a contentious issue within the LGBTQ+ community. Earlier in the year, community consultations conducted by Mardi Gras indicated that 54 percent of respondents believed that police should not take part in the event. Mits Delisle, co-convenor of Rainbow Labor NSW, expressed a different view, stating that he believed the issue was overstated and that the broader community was in favor of police participation.

With the outcome of Saturday's meeting, it remains possible that the Mardi Gras board could make a definitive ruling on this matter in the weeks to come. Following the meeting, NSW Police expressed their approval of the decision, characterizing the Mardi Gras as an "important and significant annual event." The police noted that they have been participants in the Mardi Gras since 1998, underscoring its importance for LGBTQIA+ members within the force, as well as their supporters.

Member for Sydney, Alex Greenwich, voiced his support for the decision, interpreting it as a vote for inclusivity, while also recognizing the long-standing issues between the LGBTQIA+ community and the police. He acknowledged the historic challenges the police have faced in their treatment of the LGBTQ community but expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts to establish safer environments for LGBTQ+ individuals. Mr. Greenwich emphasized that this moment represents a step towards improving relationships between the police and the LGBTQ community.