Australia: Gay activists get official apology for 1978 beating

The New South Wales parliament in Australia has tendered a formal apology to Gay rights activists beaten up during Sydney’s inaugural Mardi Gras in 1978 which was followed by loud cheers by MP’s.

The march, borne out of solidarity for New York’s Stonewall movement, called for sodomy laws to be abolished and an end to discrimination was met with unexpected police violence, mass arrests and public shaming.

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Reports say the apology was greeted with a standing ovation on the Parliament floor and within the public gallery, which included some of the original “78ers”.

Fairfax media has apologised for outing the 53 people involved by publishing their names, addresses and occupations as it is unclear whether the NSW Police Force will issue a separate apology.

“I hope it’s not too late that you can accept an apology but also we want to recognise that for all of that pain that you went through, you brought about fundamental change in this society and fundamental change for the many gay and lesbian people like myself, who can be open and relaxed about ourselves,” member for Sydney suburb Coogee, Bruce Notley-Smith, said.

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