Police pull out of major pride march over uniform ban
Police officers will not participate in a popular annual pride march after an ugly confrontation prompted a policy change.
Victoria Police confirmed their withdrawal from the Midsumma Festival pride march on February 2, citing a refusal by organisers to let officers march in uniform without tactical equipment as in previous years.
“Organisers would only allow police to take part if they wore plain clothes or a branded polo,” the force said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We believe this would be a backwards step for inclusion, especially for our (LGBTQI) employees who simply want to celebrate being their authentic selves.”
Uniform police will still have a presence at the event to maintain community safety and public order.
Midsumma said it welcomed all LGBTQI community members and allies to participate, providing all conditions of entry were met.
“We are disappointed in the decision by Victoria Police not to participate but respect the rights of any group who may choose not to participate,” organisers said.
They had earlier announced a trial of march participants not wearing formal workplace uniforms in a “trauma-informed approach” that followed community and stakeholder consultation.
“Midsumma have also made clearer that the conditions of participation exclude any armed security personnel accompanying a group of marchers,” organisers said.
“We will seek feedback after this year’s trial with regard to the impact on all attendees and participants, to inform planning for future years.”
The policy shift came after police were confronted by up to 50 protesters during the 2024 march, with the force accusing the group of surrounding its members on three sides, hurling abuse and throwing paint bombs.
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton declared he had “contempt” for their behaviour, while Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines said they acted like thugs.
One of the activist groups involved in the protest accused officers of throwing protesters to the ground and punching one in the side of the head.
The march is one of the signature events at the Midsumma Festival, which celebrates gender and sexual diversity.
But police participation in pride events is controversial within the LGBTQI community, given their origin out of the protest movement against police oppression of queer people.
The force has a chequered past with the queer community, including its treatment of former AFL club coach Danielle Laidley, a bungled raid on an LGBTQI bookshop and response to counter protesters when neo-Nazis gatecrashed an anti-trans rally.
Trangender Victoria earlier announced its withdrawal from the Midsumma march over the trans community’s treatment by Victoria Police, but CEO Son Vivienne signalled it would not reconsider following officers pulling out.
In December, Mardi Gras narrowly voted to allow NSW Police to continue to march in its 2025 parade.
The reprieve followed a decision to ban uniformed officers joining the 2024 march over concerns about their sometimes-fraught relationship with the queer community.
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