Organizers of Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have reversed an earlier decision and will allow police to march during the parade.
Police Commissioner Karen Webb announced the change Wednesday afternoon and also revealed that officers will not wear their uniforms during Saturday’s march “in consideration of current sensitivities.”
Event organizers told police on Monday night that they would not be invited as part of the parade this year following the arrest of senior constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, 28.
Lamarre-Comdon is accused of murdering his ex-partner Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and his new boyfriend Luke Davies, 29, on February 19.
It would have been the first Mardi Gras parade in 26 years without a section for police officers who were part of the LGBTQI+ community.
More to come.