No Pride in Detention rejects Mardi Gras’ official statement
Image: No Pride in Detention. Photo: Facebook
ORGANISERS of the No Pride in Detention (NPID) float have refuted a statement issued by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, including the allegation they were harassing other marchers in Saturday’s parade.
In a video released by the group on Monday, which has since gone viral, parade producer Anthony Russell is seen and heard in the parade marshalling area telling NPID float members to behave properly and gave them one more chance or faced being kicked out of the parade all together. (Scroll down for the full video)
Mardi Gras chief executive Michele Bauer said in an official statement yesterday that NSW Police had informed Mardi Gras officials about “an unacceptable level of harassment and offensive comments from the NPID float members being directed towards members of the Rainbow Labor float, including leader of the opposition, Bill Shorten and deputy leader of the opposition, Tanya Plibersek”.
Shorten and Plibersek were part of the Rainbow Labor contingent, which was one place ahead of the NPID float in the parade order.
Mardi Gras officials then decided to reshuffle the parade order and move NPID — which is affiliated with the controversial Community Action Against Homophobia group — a few places behind the Rainbow Labor float. Both contingents went ahead and marched in the parade without further incident.
CLICK HERE to read Michele Bauer’s statement in full
NPID creator and organiser Evan Van Zijl said his float was not harassing anyone in the parade marshalling area.
“Unless harassment means standing behind the people you were assigned to stand behind with placards and chanting and moving closer to the camera,” he said.
“We were chanting, ‘we here, we’re queer, refugees are welcome here’, which is what we did during the entire parade.”
Van Zijl also rejected Bauer’s point that police had complained about their behaviour by claiming NPID members did not have any interactions with police before the parade.
“The first engagement we had about it was with Anthony (Russell),” Van Zijl said.
“If it was the police telling Mardi Gras what to do and Mardi Gras was just complying, it doesn’t make sense for them to be so explosive.
“Most of the time these people making the claims of harassment refuse to substantiate or provide evidence of the harassment. Which is ironic and it’s quite telling.”
In the official Mardi Gras statement Bauer said the organisation would conduct an internal investigation into the incident, but Van Zijl claims no one from Mardi Gras has contacted him for information.
NSW Police Superintendent and the spokesperson for Sexuality and Gender Diversity Tony Crandell said before the parade started, police “received a report of harassing behaviour towards members of the Rainbow Labor float”.
“Police contacted the event organisers to discuss the issue and possible courses of action,” he said.
“The organisers took appropriate action to remedy the issue, and police fully support their decision.”
Van Zijl said NPID still achieved their aim on Saturday night and would continue to advocate for LGBTI refugees and asylum seekers in detention at upcoming rallies.
The group is also involved in a campaign to free a gay Iranian couple (Nima and Ashkan) who were resettled on Nauru — where homosexuality is a crime — and where they face assault because of their sexuality.
“We sent photos to the Iranian couple Nima and Ashkan of us at the parade. They liked them and they were very happy,” Van Zijl said.
To sign the petition asking Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to resettle the men in Australia, click here.
Ooops.. my original comment is back.
That was quick.. would delete but can’t.
Oh dear… I posted a comment here 15 minutes ago but it seems that because it criticised Anthony Russell’s attitude and behavior it’s being censored and pulled.
So the Star sucks up to SGMLG.. surprise.. surprise!!
Can’t wait to tell everyone on the street.
But then nobody under 25 has heard of or knows what the Star Observer is anyway.
Oh dear… that sounded petty.. well it’s true!
My first thought when I first watched the video is that Anthony Russell has political aspirations and wanted to be seen to be doing something to please and ass lick up to Shorten.
However his in-your-face bully-boy Tony Abbot style isn’t a good look.
Another wannabe loser given a tiny amount of power and loosing it.
No LGBTI person marching in Mardi Gras should have to put up with another being jeered and heckled for 2kms of the parade route.
I don’t like the treatment of refugees – but that cannot excuse the behaviour of NPID towards other marchers.
Mardi gras is to be congratulated with their sensible resolution to change the order of floats and ensure a safe environment for all MG marchers.
One can only imagine the level of corruption which exists at the highest levels of this community – Sure we are not equal & never will be while certain egos silence, manipulate or cover up to the crowds in order to avoid being physically lynched – if certain matters where made public!
Totally agree, Tim. Best thing I ever did was stop wasting time with ppl in the Sydney scene. Funny how they complain so much about discrimination…yet unless you fit into their narrow stereotype of being a pretty boy, etc, you as a gay man will be rejected by your own kind.
Safely away from the horrors of Sydney (well described, Paul) for quite a few years now, and enjoying the semi rural nudist scene with real people, life couldn’t be better. And Gaydar, what a joke that was!
What has happened to you Sydney? There is no life in Sydney anymore because of the lockout laws, minimum million dollar house prices, you can not fart, eat, drink or smoke without someone complaining, you can not walk in the city without one punch attacks, way too many Muslims, way too many Asians, way too many toll roads, way too many traffic jams, way too many people, way too much crime, way too many women getting raped, way too many women dumping babies, way too much drugs such as ice, way too many firearms in criminal hands and not to forget the cost of living is way too high! No wonder why many people have moved to the rural and country areas of Australia for a better and safer life! I was in fact born in Sydney Camperdown and grew up in Penrith greater western Sydney, so do not criticise me!
gay Sydney has owned the title putrid and i can prove it
I can prove that gay Sydney collectively have agreed to reject me my whole life when i used to go on gaydar they all stop chating soon as i loged in how yous can have that parade proves how sick yous are
the entire gay community work together to reject innocent people then celebrate having each other Sydney gays agree to reject those in living hell then dance up the street wanting equality sickest people on the planet