Statement from Barry Charles delivered at Qtopia (previous site of Darlinghurst Police Station) at the first LGBTQIA+ Consultative Committee 25 June 2024.
46 years ago, on the morning of 25th June 1978, a Sunday, in the cells below, a number of men remained in custody; still trying to engage legal counsel, contact relatives and friends to arrange their release. A similar number of women, in fact more, were in a similar position at Central Police Station having been transported there in the early hours of the morning.
The previous night, what became known as the First Mardi Gras occurred on Oxford Street.
A permit issued, lawful celebratory parade down a designated route, to mark the end of a week of conferences and planning to push for reform of anti-gay laws.
This parade was unlawfully curtailed right at the moment it was to enter the pre-determined rally point in Hyde Park, thus ending any further traffic congestion on the street.
What followed was a shameful night in the history of the city.
Less than 3 weeks ago, on 6th June 2024 the entire NSW Parliament declared that the laws that existed before 1984 were wrong.
The campaigners on the night of 24th June 1978 were right.
Things had to change.
The stroke of a pen on 6th June 1984 did not make everything right.
In the 40 years since we have all had to take responsibility for building on the law change. To over time change the attitudes and culture of our society, to grant equality before the law for LGBTQIA+ persons.
The NSW Police have an important role in setting the tone for that change in our culture.
Today we have a chance to see if the NSW Police are showing leadership in progressing that aim.
And that the LGBTQIA+ Community are entitled to equality, respect, protection and justice from our Police.