NSW Police have been formally asked not to participate in this weekend’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The request came from the organisation’s board and comes after advocates called for police to withdraw from the march.
In a statement released on Monday night, the board explained their reasons for their decision, which was “not made lightly” in the wake of the devastating loss of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
“The board has taken the decision to request that the police do not march in the 2024 Parade,” the statement read. “Sydney Mardi Gras along with LGBTQIA+ communities across the country have been devastated by the loss of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, whose lives were cut short.”
“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 parade organisers said that while some members of the LGBTQIA+ community are also members of the NSW police force, Baird and Davis’ alleged murders may compromise the parade’s legitimacy as “a space to protest, celebrate, and advocate for equality, as well as to honour and grieve for those we’ve lost.”
Days after alleged murders last week, a change.org petition began circulating across the internet, amassing over 700 signatures from people who didn’t want NSW Police to march at this weekend’s parade.
“It would be incredibly offensive for NSW police to engage with a police float at the Sydney Madi Gras festival next week,” organisers of the petition wrote. “Our community urges them to reconsider.”
The petition, calling for “No police float at next week’s Mardi Gras”, includes an image of Senior Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon marching in a Mardi Gras parade in 2020. On Friday, Lamarre-Condon was charged with the alleged murders.
Since 1998, NSW Police have marched in the annual parade each year — roughly 20 years after the first Mardi Gras took place.
Overnight, a spokesperson from NSW Police announced that they have been made aware of the parade’s board to “withdraw their invitation”.
“While disappointed with this outcome, NSW Police will continue to work closely with the LGBTQIA+ community,” the spokesperson said.
“And remain committed to working with organisers to provide a safe environment for all those participating in and supporting this Saturday’s parade.”
Earlier this morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented on the Mardi Gras board’s decision to not invite police from marching in the parade.
“[The parade] has come a long way from the 1978 Mardi Gras where people were arrested for the crime of being who they are,” he said on ABC Melbourne.
“But I understand that the queer community in Sydney in particular … are grieving what is an enormous tragedy.”
“My heart goes out to those who are grieving – from the family and friends of these two men who have really suffered, you know Jesse [Baird] and Luke [Davies], people will be doing it tough at the moment and I understand that.”
On Monday, NSW Premier Chris Minns rejected calls for police to skip the parade this weekend, saying it would be a step backwards.
“NSW Police marching in the Mardi Gras is an important part of bringing the communities together,” he told 2GB’s Ben Fordham.
“There are many LGBTQI+ members of the New South Wales Police Force themselves and over the years, particular senior officers, would have battled prejudice within the workforce.”
“I think they would want an opportunity to represent their community as well as New South Wales police. And I hope that they do march.”
NSW Greens MP Dr Amanda Cohn said NSW Police should exclude itself from the upcoming festivities as a gesture of respect, deference, and commitment to change.
“Premier Minns insisting police march in this year’s Mardi Gras are at odds with community sentiment, with even The Sydney Morning Herald joining calls for police to step back in recognition of the distrust and fear within queer communities towards police that has again been stoked,” she explained in a statement, published on her socials.
“The NSW government must recognise that parts of the community don’t feel safe reporting threats to police, and that police continuing to investigate themselves cannot deliver the meaningful change that is needed, nor build trust with marginalised communities.”
“There are important questions being asked around access to weapons, as well as police approaches to domestic violence and particularly to perpetrators within their ranks. LGBTIQ hate crimes are not just historical. Our leaders must recognise the present pain and grief of queer communities in NSW and that the NSW Police Force must reckon with its “shameful homophobia, transphobia and prejudice.”
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb has been criticised for not speaking out against Senior Constable Lamarre-Condon’s crimes.
Earlier this morning, she appeared on Sunrise, where she was questioned about her initial silence around the murders.
“No matter how busy you are, you have a police officer allegedly involved in this,” host Natalie Barr said. “You have a crime that has gripped this nation. Three days to speak? Come on. You don’t have to convict anyone. But to stand up there, and speak and be human – wasn’t that a mistake not to do that?”
Co-host Matt Shirvington added, “Do you think you should be criticised for the job that you have been doing? Because you have been.”
Commissioner Webb responded with inappropriate humour: “There will always be haters, haters like to hate. Isn’t that what Taylor (Swift) says?” Webb replied. “I have a job to do. It is a big job. This is just one of many.”
During Budget Estimates last week, NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb was asked by Greens MP Dr Cohn about the implementation of the 19 recommendations of the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes, including an independent review of the NSWPF approach to LGBTIQ communities.
According to Dr Cohn, Webb failed to articulate any concrete progress. She “only recommit[ed] to an internal working group process.”
Over the weekend, Commissioner Webb apologised to the families of gay hate crime victims, after the report revealed police officers were “indifferent, negligent, dismissive or hostile.” She also admitted to systemic failures within the NSW Police Force.
“To the victims and families that NSW Police failed by not adequately and fairly investigating those deaths between 1970 and 2010, I am sorry,” Commissioner Webb said.
“I realise that this has meant missed opportunities to identify possible offenders as new leads emerged or as new forensic advances became available.”
“And I acknowledge the increased suffering experienced by victims and their families where the crimes were motivated by bias against members of the LGBTIQ community.”
Dr Cohn responded to the apology, saying it was “important, overdue, and welcome.”
“But it will take significant and tangible reform to the NSWPF to rebuild trust with queer communities,” Dr Cohn said in a statement.
In the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes, commissioner Justice John Sackar made 19 recommendations, including new inquests into previous cases and the Implementation of mandatory training for NSW Police officers concerning the LGBTIQ community.