Rainbow flag raised with pride at Sydney Town Hall

 

The coloured stripes of the rainbow flag will be raised above Sydney Town Hall to mark the beginning of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras 2015 festival and to celebrate 25 years of the NSW Police Force’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer program.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore invited all Sydneysiders and visitors to the city to join her on the front steps of the Town Hall at 5.30pm on 20 February for the sixth annual flag-raising ceremony.

“While Mardi Gras is a night of fun and glamour, it also demonstrates the strength and diversity of our GLBTI communities,” the Lord Mayor said.

“Mardi Gras celebrates the victories won against homophobia and uses wit and colour to campaign for full equality and an end to discrimination. It also celebrates the contribution that our GLBTI community makes to our City, and nation.

“This year we also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the NSW Police Force’s program of Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers, which has created a positive relationship between the police and the GLBTI community.

“The program places a GLBTI police liaison in every single police station across NSW to provide support for GLBTI victims of crime and to encourage greater reporting of crime, abuse and assault in the GLBTI community.

“Sydney’s embrace of Mardi Gras, and the flying of the flag above Sydney Town Hall shows the world that our city is a safe, accepting and welcoming city for all people.”

NSW Police Force Corporate Sponsor for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, Superintendent Tony Crandell said the Gay & Lesbian Liaison Officer (GLLO) program owes its inception to dedicated individuals and many groups such as Mardi Gras who advocated to address important issues within the GLBTI community.

“The GLLO program would not be here if it weren’t for their courage and commitment in lobbying the government and the police to address the under-reporting of crime and establish appropriate contact officers,” Supt Crandell said.

“Today, we have grown from a few inner city support officers to more than 200 GLLOs across the state and we’re proud to celebrate 25 years of their achievements.”

An installation illustrating the history of the GLLO program will be on display inside Sydney Town Hall following the flag raising ceremony, with the full exhibition on show at the Sydney Police Centre from 20 February to 8 March.

The Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras festival runs from 20 February to 8 March, and includes many free and popular events such as the parade (7 March), Fair Day (22 February) and Harbour Party (28 February).

For the 10th year the City will have an entry in the Mardi Gras Parade, which this year will feature around 70 staff and volunteers dressed as the City’s official cheer squad and Cheering for Equality.

The City last year increased its commitment to Mardi Gras to $1.485 million in cash and support over the next three years.

The City will also provide the organisation with three years of reduced rent on office space through a grant valued at almost $65,000 each year, and a further $20,000 to help them develop a strategic plan.

Apart from funding, the City demonstrates its proud support of Mardi Gras by always entering a float in the parade and having a presence at Fair Day.

The City last year installed a large rainbow flag at Taylor Square as permanent recognition of the important contribution the GLBTI community makes to Sydney.

For more information, visit City of Sydney or mardigras.org.au