WHISTLEBLOWERS WHO BLOW WHISTLES FOR PROTECTION AND SECURITY

In the 1980s and 1990s, Gays, Lesbians, Transgenders, HIV/AIDS people, of all genders, were being bashed, assaulted, abused in any way homophobes could work out, and murdered, at a rapid rate.

The murdered were mostly gay males as can be seen on our web pages in http://www.josken.net

The New South Wales police were complicit in some of those crimes and have never been brought to book.

In 2018, in Melbourne, women are being assaulted, abused, verbally and physically, and murdered in unprecedented numbers.

In Sydney, in the 1980s and 1990s, one of the plans for protection was to carry a whistle that was easily accessible and could mostly be held in the hand out of sight of possible attackers. This is obviously not a be-all and end-all protection, but it may well have helped save lives.

We all carried them in those days and perhaps it helped to protect us but the number of murders did reduce.

The situation as it stands is very complex and needs to start with education at a basic level while children are in their early classes at school where they need to respect other humans and not be taught that they are entitled to behave in ways threatening the safety of other human beings.

MARDI GRAS APOLOGY PART 2

NSW POLICE: YET TO RSVP TO THE SORRY PARTY

Those who took part in the very first Sydney Mardi Gras parade in 1978, known as the "78ers", say it's time for NSW police to say sorry for their mistreatment and violence at the time.

 

SHANNON POWER — FEBRUARY 24, 2016

 Gail Hewison (far left) just seconds before arrest at the first Mardi Gras in 1978. She said the police officer behind grabbed her by her hair and dragged her across the road and tossed her head first into paddy wagon. (Image supplied by Gail Hewison)

PRESSURE is mounting on NSW Police to issue a formal apology for its mistreatment of the men and women who started Sydney’s first Mardi Gras parade in 1978 after similar announcements made by the NSW Government and Sydney Morning Herald this week.

On Sunday, Coogee state Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith said the “78ers” would receive a formal apology in state parliament tomorrow for the mistreatment and violent treatment they received while this morning the Herald’s editor-in-chief Darren Goodsir said the newspaper would apologise for printing the names, addresses and occupations of the 53 people arrested three days after the first Mardi Gras parade took place

 However, many of the 78ers who were assaulted, brutalised and thrown into jail believe the police should also apologise for its role in the violent scenes during the 1978 Mardi Gras that started as a celebration of Sydney’s LGBTI culture but turned into a protest after the arrests.

“This is very good news from the [the Herald] and I agree that it makes the police look extremely isolated and they need to step up to the plate on this,” said one 78er, Dr Jo Harrison.

“I think it is essential that the Commissioner for Police and the Minister for Police make a formal apology so that it coincides with the cross-party apology from the NSW government to be made tomorrow. Otherwise there will be a glaring gap relating to the events of June 24, 1978 and the process of making an apology to those of us who were there will not be complete.

“I am actually overwhelmed at the [the Herald’s] action. So significant. Very historic moving moment.”

The Star Observer asked Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione if NSW Police planned to apologise to the 78ers and when it would do so.

“At this time, this is a matter for consideration by the whole of government,” a NSW Police spokesperson responded via email.

“However, NSW Police has developed rewarding relationships with members and stakeholders within LGBTI communities.

“Over the past 25 years, our Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO) program has worked with the LGBTI community to address numerous issues including bias crime, domestic violence and the challenges facing young, transgender and intersex people when seeking support.

“The GLLO program owes its inception to dedicated individuals and groups who advocated to address important issues within the gay and lesbian community. It is the result of their commitment in lobbying the government and the police to establish appropriate contact officers within the community.”

Pride History Group vice-president and 78er Ken Davis said many of the activists would value the apologies, especially those who had their lives ruined when they were “outed” in the Herald.

However, he said there were many ironies around the apology.

“It’s has been a long time coming… for me the night of the first Mardi Gras was miraculous, the idea was to have night time celebration, to be free and that’s when we got attacked,” Davis said.

“In so many ways we have less freedom now; the police have tasers, the [lockout laws] have been bad for the night life.

“The first Mardi Gras was almost spontaneous, we were celebrating in a public space. Now it’s highly regulated (by police) and commercialised.”

Robert French drove from Canberra to support the 78ers after they were arrested. He described the Herald’s decision to publish their names, addresses and occupations in the newspaper as “an act of bastardry”.

Gail Hewison, who was one of the arrested 78ers, said she had a false name published in the Herald because she was lucky to have not had ID on her when police charged her.

Nonetheless, she welcomed the newspaper’s apology today.

“However, to publish a list of names on the front page as I remember it, was hugely homophobic, sensationalist, vindictive and mean, considering the LGBT people marching were simply marching for civil rights and were not criminals,” she said.

“If the editor of [the Herald] from 1978 is still alive today I would like to see his name added to the apology.”

The Star Observer has contacted the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras for comment.

The Sydney Morning Herald apologises to Mardi Gras founders the 78ers

February 24, 2016 - 2:03PM

Daisy Dumas

The scene outside the Central Court of Petty Sessions in Sydney where gay and lesbians demonstrated in 1978. Photo: Fairfax Media

On the eve of the historic NSW government apology to Mardi Gras founders the "78ers", The Sydney Morning Herald has underlined its acknowledgment that discrimination towards gay rights protesters at the hands of police, government and media in 1978 was wrong and unjust.

On June 24, 1978, more than 500 activists took to Taylor Square in Darlinghurst in support and celebration of New York's Stonewall movement and to call for an end to criminalisation of homosexual acts and discrimination against homosexuals. The peaceful movement ended in violence, mass arrests and public shaming at the hands of the police, government and media.

Three days after the melee, Fairfax Media newspapers including the Herald publicly outed 53 people involved in the pro-equality march, publishing their names, addresses and occupations in the newspaper.

Subsequent editions published the details of more protesters, including the names of 104 people facing charges resulting from a homosexual rights march the previous weekend in Sydney.

Homosexuals demonstrate in the morning march in Sydney before a street parade that would eventually evolve into the Sydney Mardi Gras. Photo: Fairfax Media

As was common practice at the time, the press routinely published the full details of people who appeared in court, regardless of the nature of the offence with which they had been charged.

The public lists saw many protesters further discriminated against, in some instances causing the loss of jobs and homes.

Apologising to the 78ers, Darren Goodsir, editor-in-chief of The Sydney Morning Herald, said: "In 1978, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the names, addresses and professions of people arrested during public protests to advance gay rights. The paper at the time was following the custom and practice of the day.

(From left) Melissa Gibson with 78ers Julie McCrossin and Ron Austin at the Sydney Mardi Gras in 2013.Photo: Supplied

"We acknowledge and apologise for the hurt and suffering that reporting caused. It would never happen today."

He said Fairfax Media has made contact with representatives of the 78ers so that an apology can also be made in person.

78er, Steve Warren, said the apology had "been a long time coming".

"We're quite excited that the Herald is joining in, it means a lot to the 78ers," he said.

"We understand it was practice at the time but it caused a lot of hurt," he said of the published details. "Some 78ers lost jobs, lost family contact and, over the years, some even committed suicide."

He said Sydney's gay rights movement is a shining example of grassroots community action leading to positive community change, referring to changes in legislation and the strengthening of the Mardi Gras tradition and its values since 1978.

On Thursday, nearly 40 years later, the state is to apologise for the discrimination and mistreatment of the protesters.

A group of 78ers will attend Parliament, when Coogee MP Bruce Notley-Smith will introduce a motion of apology to the NSW Legislative Assembly.

Mr Notley-Smith said the apology "will acknowledge the significance of the events of that night in June 38 years ago; the struggles and harm caused to the many who took part in the demonstration and march, both on that night and in the weeks, months and years to follow. Many 78ers are no longer with us; many have lived a life of hurt and pain, and many took their own lives. This apology is for all of them."

78er and broadcaster Julie McCrossin said she was thrilled and emotional that the injustice is finally being given state recognition.

"It's a recognition that what happened was wrong and traumatic," she said, adding that many 78ers had lost their lives to HIV.

"I don't doubt I'll cry," she said. "This is emotional, this is personal."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/the-sydney-morning-herald-apologises-to-mardi-gras-founders-the-78ers-20160224-gn26jm.html#ixzz413ahVdmc 
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

SYDNEY MORNING HERALD APOLOGISES TO MARDI GRAS 78ERS, 38 YEARS AFTER OUTING MANY OF THEM

The news comes a day before the NSW Government is due to make a formal apology during a parliamentary sitting.

 

 

ELIAS JAHSHAN — FEBRUARY 24, 2016

 A group of 78ers walk across the former rainbow crossing at Taylor Square in 2013. (Photo: Steve McLaren)

THE Sydney Morning Herald has offered a formal apology to the Mardi Gras 78ers, almost 40 years after the newspaper published the names, addresses and occupations of people who took part — many of whom were not out of the closet.

In statement released this morning, editor-in-chief Darren Goodsir said they have also made contact The news comes just days after it was announced that the NSW Government — with bipartisan support — would make a formal apology to the 78ers during a parliamentary sitting on Thursday.

On June 24, 1978, more than 500 people descended on Sydney’s Taylor Square for a march down Oxford St in solidarity with New York’s Stonewall movement and to also call for the end of the criminalisation of homosexual acts, discrimination against gay people and for a public celebration of love and diversity.

The march, which grew to 2000 people, would soon become known as the first Mardi Gras parade and its participants named the “78ers”.

However, the march ended in Kings Cross with police arrests and mistreatment — many people were thrown in jail or were attacked.

Three days later, the Herald published the names, addresses and occupations of 53 people who were charged with “taking part in an unlawful procession”.

Many were also charged with hindering police, resisting arrest and using “unseemly words”.

This led to people being outed to their friends and work colleagues, and many of those arrested lost their jobs as homosexuality was a crime in NSW until 1984.

Goodsir said it was the “custom and practice of the day” to publish full details of people who appeared in court, regardless of the offence they had been charged with.

“In 1978, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the names, addresses and professions of people arrested during public protests to advance gay rights,” Goodsir said in his statement.

“The paper at the time was following the custom and practice of the day.

“We acknowledge and apologise for the hurt and suffering that reporting caused. It would never happen today.

“We have made contact with representatives of the 78ers so we can apologise in person.”

The Star Observer has contacted members of the 78ers for comment.

At the time of print, NSW Police have yet to indicate if they will also offer an apology to the 78ers.

with representatives of the 78ers so they could apologise in person.

24 FEB 2016 - 2:03PM

Sydney Morning Herald apologises for Mardi Gras coverage

Marchers at the 1978 Mardi Gras parade. (Photo: The Pride History Group) (The Pride History Group)

• 
• 
• 

Hide Grid

IMAGE 

1/

VIDEO

AUDIO

The editor in chief of the Sydney Morning Herald has apologised for the paper's historical coverage of the first official Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in 1978.

By 

Drew Sheldrick

24 FEB 2016 - 1:58 PM  UPDATED 1 HOUR AGO

The Sydney Morning Herald's editor in chief, Darren Goodsir, has offered an apology to the participants of the 1978 gay rights march, recognised as the first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, for printing the names, addresses and professions of those arrested during the protest.

Homosexuality was illegal in New South Wales at the time of the march and many of those who had their identities published lost their jobs and had their sexuality exposed to their families as a result.

The apology comes the day before the NSW Legislative Assembly's formal apology for the ill-treatment of march participants, known as the ‘78ers’, on Thursday. The motion is also expected to be introduced to the NSW Legislative Council at a later time.

SMH editor in chief Darren Goodsir's apology to the participants of the 1978 gay rights march who had their identities printed by the newspaper.

“In 1978, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the names, addresses and professions of people arrested during public protests to advance gay rights," Goodsir said in the statement.

"The paper at the time was following the custom and practice of the day. We acknowledge and apologise for the hurt and suffering that reporting caused. It would never happen today. We have made contact with representatives of the 78’ers so we can apologise in person."

The public demonstration and march took place on 24 June, 1978 and saw more than 500 people assemble at Sydney's Taylor Square to call for an end of the criminalisation of "homosexual acts" and discrimination against the gay and lesbian community.

The front page of 'The Star' newspaper (now Star Observer) on 7 March, 1985, detailing the retraction of a SMH front-page story on the Sydney Mardi Gras. (Photo: the Star Observer archives)

This is not the first time the Sydney Morning Herald has apologied for its coverage of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. In 1985, it was forced to run a large retraction - reported as being one of the biggest in the history of Australian newspaper publishing at that time - admitting "very little" of its coverage of that year's parade was correct. 

The original front-page SMH story from 25 February, 1985 claimed people living with HIV were forced to watch the Mardi Gras parade from nearby hotel balconies like "sideshow freaks". 

Victims of ’78 Mardi Gras violence finally get their apology

Crikey FEB 24, 2016 1:07PM | 

The NSW government will finally apologise to those who were beaten by police in the 1978 Mardi Gras parade. But many say it’s not enough, writes freelance journalist Serkan Ozturk.

A symbolic apology to be delivered by NSW Parliament tomorrow morning to the participants of the very first Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is engendering “mixed feelings” from some who were there that fateful evening in 1978, when police violently attacked peaceful marchers. Many were beaten and arrested, and a Sydney Morning Herald “name and shame” campaign in the aftermath cost many their jobs — and some their lives.

It was June 24, 1978, and a number of activities had been planned by the city’s leading gay groups of the time, including CAMP, the Gay Solidarity Group and the ADHOC organisation, which drew most of its members from the University of Sydney’s Camperdown campus.

The plan was for a morning political march to kick off the day and a celebratory party-like parade to end the evening. The inspiration to call the parade a “Mardi Gras” came from CAMP activist Marg McMann, who along with fellow activist Ron Austin believed a more relaxed and less overtly political night-time event might bring new people into the struggle.

Contrary to some popular myths about Mardi Gras, it was not held as some kind of homage to the 1969 Stonewall Riots in New York but was instead designed as a show of solidarity following a request from activists in San Francisco who were fighting the Briggs initiative — which was a referendum in the United States at the time to remove anyone who supported gay rights from the American school system (draw your own conclusion about modern parallels).

After a day of marching and political meetings, a few hundred brave souls met at Taylor Square, many in colourful costumes. Their numbers quickly swelled as the flair and colour of those marching and chanting enticed scores of others from the streets and bars to join them. When they turned off Oxford Street into College Street their numbers were easily pushing more than 1000, and police were becoming antsy.

“One guy ran past me, and I will never forget it,” Austin recalled to Crikey. “I assume from the way he spoke that he had never come out before or taken part in a march or anything like that. He came to me and said, ‘I’m out now and going all the way’. That was the general attitude. You never saw such enthusiasm.

“It was almost like there were all these underlying emotions and a release of tensions — tensions that had been held by people for years. People who wouldn’t walk down the street holding hands, and all of a sudden they were doing it.”

Although organisers had a permit for the march, the atmosphere of the parade began to darken when it got to towards Hyde Park. With police attempting to confiscate Mardi Gras’ first lead float —  a truck owned by activist Lance Gowland with a makeshift speaker on top blasting out gay-themed hits —  a sudden callout was made to head to Kings Cross.

Their numbers thinned, and 78er David Abello remembers the remaining few hundred parade-goers eventually being hemmed in by dozens of “big, burly, thick-necked” police officers around El Alamein fountain.

From that point on, it was hell for leather, with fisticuffs, bruises, batons and beatings amid a volley of men and women being thrust into the back of paddy wagons.

In the end more than 50 were arrested, with some such as Peter Murphy viciously beaten in the bowels of the notorious Darlinghurst police station.

It was Murphy who first wrote to the NSW government in the 1990s calling for an official apology from both the politicians in Macquarie Street and police.

“I had recently been consulted about a possible parliamentary apology after years of no response, but the last I heard about it was three months ago, so I was surprised to hear the news over the weekend,” he told Crikey this week. “I have no clue what the apology will include, but I will be there on the day. I’m not sure how I will react but I do hope this is the beginning of a process, not the end of it.”

Fellow 78er Ross Duffin says the NSW government isn’t the only one that needs to atone. “One of these is The Sydney Morning Herald, who published the names, addresses and occupations of people arrested but not yet gone to court.”

Abello said the Herald’s campaign had long-lasting and tragic consequences. “Some people couldn’t get a decent job for years —  their careers stopped,” Abello told Crikey. “Others had their family find out they were gay and basically disown them. And a few others, they died from suicide sadly.”

Darren Goodsir, editor-in-chief of The Sydney Morning Herald, responded with an unreserved apology:

“In 1978, The Sydney Morning Herald reported the names, addresses and professions of people arrested during public protests to advance gay rights. The paper at the time was following the custom and practice of the day. We acknowledge and apologise for the hurt and suffering that reporting caused. It would never happen today. We have made contact with representatives of the 78’ers so we can apologise in person.”

Duffin also wants an apology from the NSW police.

One of Australia’s leading historians of gay culture, Garry Wotherspoon — also a 78er — says the parliamentary apology is just the first step.

“It would be great to have a royal commission into the gay deaths at beats, but that would be most profitably pursued after the Scott Johnson inquest, when details of police homophobia and lack of interest in solving those cases gets a good airing. And the suggested federal marriage plebiscite will bring all the issues of religious exemptions to public awareness,” he said.

Jo Harrison, another 78er, says the apology has to be backed up with monetary compensation: “As far as I am concerned, an apology without concrete action and … compensation in some form attached to it is hollow and meaningless. Just like the apology to the stolen generation. Oh sorry, but forget about compensation or not having your communities shut down or your legal services and health services gutted. It’s the same.”

NSW Police told Crikey in a statement that an apology from the force was “a matter for consideration by the whole of government”.

Nick Henderson‎ to Lost Gay Sydney

21.2.2016

78ers thrilled to receive state apology

78er Julie McCrossin is thrilled to learn that the NSW government will apologise for the discrimination and mistreatment that she and other gay rights activists suffered in 1978.

M.SMH.COM.AU

Top of Form

LikeCommentShare

Nick Henderson, Hayden Moriarty and 34 others like this.

1 share

Comments

Paul Chrystal Where is SMH's apology for ruining the lives of these people by publishing their names and occupations?????

Unlike · Reply · 2 · 7 hrs

Ken Davis yet again the SMH gets it wrong, the picture of the morning march is not the Mardi Gras that night taht was attacked, and it was not a morning street march that "evolved" into the Mardi Gras, plus SMH seems to not apologise for publishing the names and jobs and ages and addressers of arrestees on 26 June 1978 , thereby causing endless pain

Unlike · Reply · 3 · 1 hr

Nick Henderson I just spoke to the journalist, she corrected it and said she would get their archives to update the details for future - that said, I have approached them about other captions previously, to no avail.

Nick Henderson But, bam - she has changed it... I just refreshed.

Joseph Carmel Chetcuti Publishing names in the format that the names of those arrested were published was not unusual.

William Brougham I also notice that the only 78'er to be quoted in the article is Julie McCrossin. The impression the article gives is that 78'ers are thrilled by the state apology. Some may well be such as Julie McCrossin. Having heard from and spoken to a few 78'ers there are clearly mixed feelings with some feeling that it does not go far enough and that wider apologies, practical actions, restitution and compensation are needed beyond Thursday's apology.

Joseph Carmel Chetcuti William, in many ways this is a reflection of the political divisions that existed in 1978.

William Brougham Yes that is what I suspect though to suggest that 78'ers are thrilled based on one interview seems a bit shrill and hollow. More a case of "a 78'er says she is thrilled".

Bottom of Form

'Thrilled and emotional' 78ers to take to Parliament for state apology

NB – note change to picture caption

February 21, 2016

Daisy Dumas

Homosexuals demonstrate in the morning march in Sydney before a street parade that would eventually evolve into the Sydney Mardi Gras. Photo: Fairfax Media

After a wait of nearly 40 years, "78er" Julie McCrossin​ says she is thrilled and emotional to learn that the NSW government is to apologise for the discrimination and mistreatment that she and other gay rights activists suffered in 1978.

The commentator and broadcaster said she understood that she and a group of 78ers - organisers of Sydney's first Mardi Gras - will attend Parliament on Thursday, when Coogee MP Bruce Notley-Smith will introduce the motion of apology to the NSW Legislative Assembly.

The scene outside the Central Court of Petty Sessions in Sydney where gay and lesbians demonstrated in 1978. Photo: Fairfax Media

On June 24, 1978, more than 500 activists took to Taylor Square in Darlinghurst in support and celebration of New York's Stonewall movement and to call for an end to criminalisation of homosexual acts and discrimination against homosexuals. The peaceful movement ended in violence and public shaming at the hands of the police, government and media

Remembering the attacks and imprisonment of many activists at the rally, Ms McCrossin said the events around Sydney's first Mardi Gras were "cruel and inhumane" and left many traumatised.

"If we get an apology, I think it's a wonderful and important community event. It's a recognition that what happened was wrong and traumatic," she said, adding that many 78ers had lost their lives to HIV.

Melissa Gibson with 78ers Julie McCrossin and Ron Austin at the Sydney Mardi Gras 2013. Photo: Supplied

"The most important thing is that the young people right now who think they might be LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) know they are part of the community and that discrimination by law against us, let alone by the representatives of the law, the police service, is wrong."

That the bipartisan apology will come from the coalition government, she said, was particularly exciting.

"I don't doubt I'll cry," she said. "This is emotional, this is personal." 

Mr Notley-Smith said the apology "will acknowledge the significance of the events of that night in June 38 years ago; the struggles and harm caused to the many who took part in the demonstration and march, both on that night and in the weeks, months and years to follow. Many 78ers are no-longer with us; many have lived a life of hurt and pain, and many took their own lives. This apology is for all of them."

Penny Sharpe, Shadow Minister for the Planning, Environment and Heritage, said: "The tenacity of the 78ers paved the way for three decades of law reform. It will be an important moment in the history of NSW to see recognition of their contribution and an apology for the treatment they received for standing up for what is right."

Ms McCrossin acknowledged that the state and police now played a large role in Mardi Gras and had taken steps towards equality, but added that she looked forward to the day when religious leaders apologised for discrimination of the LGBTQ community within Catholic, Anglican, Jewish Orthodox and Muslim circles.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/thrilled-and-emotional-78ers-to-take-to-parliament-for-state-apology-20160221-gmziin.html#ixzz40sJeDsab 
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

'Thrilled and emotional' 78ers to take to Parliament for state apology

February 21, 2016 - 2:40PM

Daisy Dumas

Homosexuals demonstrate in Sydney in what would evolve into the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. Photo: Fairfax Media

After a wait of nearly 40 years, "78er" Julie McCrossin​ says she is thrilled and emotional to learn that the NSW government is to apologise for the discrimination and mistreatment that she and other gay rights activists suffered in 1978.

The commentator and broadcaster said she understood that she and a group of 78ers - organisers of Sydney's first Mardi Gras - will attend Parliament on Thursday, when Coogee MP Bruce Notley-Smith will introduce the motion of apology to the NSW Legislative Assembly.

The scene outside the Central Court of Petty Sessions in Sydney where gay and lesbians demonstrated in 1978. Photo: Fairfax Media

On June 24, 1978, more than 500 activists took to Taylor Square in Darlinghurst in support and celebration of New York's Stonewall movement and to call for an end to criminalisation of homosexual acts and discrimination against homosexuals. The peaceful movement ended in violence and public shaming at the hands of the police, government and media.

Remembering the attacks and imprisonment of many activists at the rally, Ms McCrossin said the events around Sydney's first Mardi Gras were "cruel and inhumane" and left many traumatised.

"If we get an apology, I think it's a wonderful and important community event. It's a recognition that what happened was wrong and traumatic," she said, adding that many 78ers had lost their lives to HIV.

Melissa Gibson with 78ers Julie McCrossin and Ron Austin at the Sydney Mardi Gras 2013. Photo: Supplied

"The most important thing is that the young people right now who think they might be LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer) know they are part of the community and that discrimination by law against us, let alone by the representatives of the law, the police service, is wrong."

That the bipartisan apology will come from the coalition government, she said, was particularly exciting.

"I don't doubt I'll cry," she said. "This is emotional, this is personal." 

Mr Notley-Smith said the apology "will acknowledge the significance of the events of that night in June 38 years ago; the struggles and harm caused to the many who took part in the demonstration and march, both on that night and in the weeks, months and years to follow. Many 78ers are no-longer with us; many have lived a life of hurt and pain, and many took their own lives. This apology is for all of them."

Penny Sharpe, Shadow Minister for the Planning, Environment and Heritage, said: "The tenacity of the 78ers paved the way for three decades of law reform. It will be an important moment in the history of NSW to see recognition of their contribution and an apology for the treatment they received for standing up for what is right."

Ms McCrossin acknowledged that the state and police now played a large role in Mardi Gras and had taken steps towards equality, but added that she looked forward to the day when religious leaders apologised for discrimination of the LGBTQ community within Catholic, Anglican, Jewish Orthodox and Muslim circles.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/thrilled-and-emotional-78ers-to-take-to-parliament-for-state-apology-20160221-gmziin.html#ixzz40s9OTBjk
Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

---

This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com