Danielle Laidley has criticized the decision to disinvite NSW Police from Saturday's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.
Event organizers disinvited police from the parade following the arrest of Chief Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon. He is accused of the murders of Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and his friend Luke Davies, 29.
It was subsequently agreed that police officers would be allowed to take part in the parade “given the current sensitivity”, but in plain clothes rather than their uniform.
Former AFL star Danielle, 56, has now criticized the original decision to disinvite NSW Police from the LGBTQIA+ parade.
Danielle, who is transgender, told the Herald Sun: “For me it doesn't matter if you are from the rainbow community, are a police officer or have any other cultural background.” […] Either you are a good person or you are not.'
Danielle Laidley has criticized the decision to disinvite NSW Police from Saturday's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade
She also shared her despair over the alleged murder of gay couple Mr Baird and Mr Davies and urged people to “be there for each other” and “support each other”.
“As long as people are talking, helping each other and being there for each other, that’s really important,” she said.
“It's a celebration and there's so much love and support at Mardi Gras and it gives people a chance to be themselves with a lot of support.”
Singers Anthony Callea, Ellie Gonsalves and Hugh Sheridan are also among the celebrities who condemned the original decision to exclude police from the parade.
Before the rule change that allowed them to march in plain clothes, it would have been the first Mardi Gras parade in 26 years without an area for police officers.
After the arrest of Chief Police Officer Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, organizers removed police from the parade. You are now allowed to march in civilian clothes (picture from 2014)
Mardi Gras organizers have announced that a minute's silence will be observed for Mr. Baird and Mr. Davies during the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
“We will take a moment to honor and remember Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, whose lives were tragically taken from us,” Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras said in a statement Saturday.
“This moment of remembrance is a powerful reminder of the bonds that bind us and the memories of those we care about.”
“As the Dykes on Bikes approach Taylor Square – the centerpiece of our parade – for the second time, they will take a break.
“This is a signal for everyone present to take part in a minute’s silence.”
Elsewhere, Danielle attended Virgin Australia's Pride Flight party on Friday, where she and her partner Donna posed with police officers
Mardi Gras organizers have announced that a minute's silence will be observed for Mr. Baird and Mr. Davies during the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m
Beau Lamarre-Condon, a serving New South Wales police officer, has been charged with two counts of murder. Police will allege in court he shot Mr Baird and Mr Davies three times
This came after Danielle attended Virgin Australia's Pride Flight party on the Friday before the Mardi Gras parade.
At the event, she appeared to have put the past behind her as she posed with police officers and her partner Donna at the event in Melbourne.
In 2020, police released a photo of the former North Melbourne AFL player and coach wearing a wig and makeup after he was arrested for stalking and breaching a family violence order, leading to a good behavior without conviction or fine.
The Victoria Police internal disciplinary committee later ordered 11 officers ranging in rank from constable to sergeant to pay up to $3,000 to Danielle.