‘A lot of hurt and anger’: How the queer community feels let down by NSW police

Despite a 26-year tradition of officers marching at Mardi Gras, the Paddington murders have brought growing discontent with the force to a head

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Two decades after intense police brutality against Australia’s queer community at Sydney’s first Mardi Gras in 1978, police began marching in the parade in a gesture of solidarity.

But that 26-year tradition was broken on Monday after Mardi Gras asked the police not to march following allegations that a police officer allegedly murdered two men – Jesse Baird, who the officer had had a prior relationship with, and Baird’s partner Luke Davies.