Title: Tragic Murders of Sydney Couple by Police Officer Casts a Shadow over Mardi Gras and LGBT+ Community
Introduction:
The tragic murder of a young Sydney couple, Jesse Baird, 26, and Luke Davies, 29, by a serving police officer has opened a new and unfortunate chapter in the tumultuous relationship between the Sydney police force and the city’s LGBT+ community. The alleged crime, which occurred just days before Mardi Gras, a vibrant annual celebration of the LGBT+ culture in Sydney, has left many feeling shocked and disheartened.
Police Officer’s Alleged Involvement:
Senior New South Wales Police Constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, 28, was charged last week with the double murder. It is alleged that Lamarre-Condon used his police-issue pistol to kill Baird and Davies at Baird’s Paddington home in Sydney’s east on February 19, 2023. After committing the crime, he reportedly hired a van to move their bodies and kept the location hidden from detectives for several days before his arrest.
Community Reaction:
The alleged crime shocked Sydney’s LGBT+ community, and on Friday night, they held a vigil for the two men who were expected to join revelers at the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. Protesters also vented their anger towards police assigned to control crowds on the eve of the parade, as shown in videos posted on Website social media integration.
Police Response and Apologies:
Questions have been raised regarding how Lamarre-Condon passed police recruitment screening and the procedures that seemingly allowed him to check out a police gun and return it after the alleged murders. Police Commissioner Kate Webb initially called the crime a “crime of passion,” which was met with criticism, and she later apologized for her insensitive comment. She also invoked Taylor Swift’s famous quote “Haters gonna hate,” which was perceived as flippant and dismissive, prompting another apology.
Police Participation in Mardi Gras:
Amid strained relations before Mardi Gras, many members of the community objected to any involvement by NSW police in the event. The Mardi Gras organizers initially withdrew their invitation for officers to march, but after days of negotiations, Webb announced that officers would be allowed to participate, albeit not in uniform.
Historical Context and Past Relationships:
The community was taken aback by Webb’s initial response to the crime, as well as the image of Lamarre-Condon marching in uniform at the 2020 Mardi Gras that resurfaced during this time. The LGBT+ community and police have had a long-standing complicated relationship, marked by historical incidents of deep mistrust and discrimination.
The Impact of the Past:
Sydney’s Mardi Gras was born from a brutal crackdown on LGBT+ activists by police six years before gay male sexual behavior was decriminalized in NSW in 1984. The night of June 24, 1978, marchers were “trapped by police and viciously beaten,” resulting in 53 arrests. This fraught relationship has persisted for decades, with many members of the LGBT+ community still balking at the sight of police during the parade.
Apologies and Reconciliation:
In 2016, then NSW Police Superintendent Tony Crandell apologized to the ’78ers on behalf of the force, acknowledging that their relationship had progressed significantly since then. However, a Special Inquiry into LGBTIQ Hate Crimes revealed that police attitudes towards the LGBT+ community formed a significant part of the investigation and found that the force had neglected to properly investigate gay hate crimes between 1970 and 2010. In December 2022, police commissioner Webb issued another apology on behalf of the force for not adequately and fairly investigating those deaths. However, no formal action has been taken to accept or implement the 15 recommendations made by the inquiry.
Conclusion:
For members of the LGBT+ community and their allies, the actions taken to address past wrongs and create a more reconciled future between the police force and their community are crucial. The tragedy of Lamarre-Condon’s alleged crimes adds to a long history of mistrust, and it is essential that police take concrete steps towards reconciliation. The community has demonstrated resilience and strength in the face of adversity; however, lasting change requires more than just words or empty apologies. It demands action.
