NSW Police officers will be allowed to march in Sydney's Mardi Gras parade this weekend, but not in uniform.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the Mardi Gras board had reversed its earlier decision to ask NSW Police not to attend, following the alleged murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies by serving officer Beau Lamarre-Condon.
Commissioner Webb said she was pleased to have come to an agreement with the board.
"I am delighted that our LGBTQIA+ officers, as well as our other police who are allies and supporters, will be allowed to march this year as they have done for the past 20 years," she said.
"The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is an important event on the NSW Police calendar and as Commissioner, I am committed to continuing to strengthen the relationship between my organisation and the LGBTQIA+ community."
In a statement, the Mardi Gras board said the parade was a beacon of hope and inclusivity.
"This outcome allows for [ LGBTIQ+ Liaison Officers] who volunteer their time and service to the community to participate in the event in a considered and respectful way as we navigate this tragedy together," it said.
"The discussion also explored the Police commitment to and implementation of an external strategic LGBTQIA+ advisory panel working with the NSW Police following the recommendations of the Inquiry into LGBTQ Hate Crimes.
"It was also recognised in the discussion that greater communication and understanding is needed between Police, NSW Government, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and the broader LGBTQIA+ community.
"Police and LGBTQIA+ communities have shared a difficult history, which must inform the continued development of communication and collaboration."
Minister agrees to uniform request
NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley said officers would honour the board's request not to participate in uniform.
"The discussions were really cordial, and we are really pleased that we have been able to reach a position... this is 20 years that the police have been marching in Mardi Gras, and it's important we don't break that," she said.
"I think that would send, I think, a bad message and send us back years."
She said officers would still march as a group, but there will not be a NSW Police float.
"The police have gay and lesbian liaison officers, GLLOs, and we have more than 300 of them around the state, and they work with the community very closely, and they have a logo, and they will be in those T-shirts."
Ms Catley said she was hopeful the community would feel comfortable with the NSW Police presence at the event.
"The police have received a lot of support in actual fact, and there was a lot of disappointment that they weren't being included," she said.
"I really want to stress again, through good communication, we have been able to reach an agreement, and I think that is what is important."
Ms Catley will march in the parade as part of the NSW Police contingent.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP), who earlier announced its officers would not march in this year's Mardi Gras, said they were reconsidering their position.
Police initially asked not to march
Organisers of the parade initially asked police not to take part in the event scheduled for Saturday due to fears their presence could cause distress in the community.
"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," the board said in a statement late on Monday night.
"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."
Organisers acknowledged that while some officers were also members of the LGBTQIA community, they said recent events had left many questioning whether the parade could still be "a space to protest, celebrate, and advocate for equality, as well as to honour and grieve for those we've lost".
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2024-02-28 06:56:15Z
CBMiZGh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDI0LTAyLTI4L25zdy1wb2xpY2Utb2ZmaWNlcnMtYWxsb3dlZC1tYXJjaC1zeWRuZXktbWFyZGktZ3Jhcy8xMDM1MjMzOTbSAShodHRwczovL2FtcC5hYmMubmV0LmF1L2FydGljbGUvMTAzNTIzMzk2
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