Sydney LGBTQ+ Community Shaken by Alleged Police Officer Murder of Couple

The recent tragic events involving the alleged murder of a young Sydney couple by a serving police officer has brought to light the strained relationship between the force and the city's LGBT+ community. This has also cast a dark cloud over Mardi Gras, an annual celebration that highlights their vibrant culture.

Senior New South Wales Police Constable Beaumont Lamarre-Condon, 28, was charged last week with the murders of Jesse Baird, 26, and Luke Davies, 29. Their bodies were discovered a week later on a rural property, hidden in surf bags.

Police claim that Lamarre-Condon used his police-issued gun to murder two men at Baird's Paddington residence in Sydney's east on February 19. He then allegedly rented a van to transport their bodies and kept the whereabouts hidden from investigators for days following his arrest.

The reported killings deeply affected Sydney's LGBTQ+ community. To honor Baird and Davies, who were supposed to participate in the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, community members gathered for a vigil on Friday night. The Mardi Gras is an annual event that celebrates LGBTQ+ identity while also protesting against homophobia and discrimination.

Nearby, protesters vented their anger with police assigned to control crowds on the eve of the parade, according to video posted to social media.

The bodies of Sydney couple Luke Davies and Jesse Baird were found a week after their alleged murder.

The bodies of Sydney couple Luke Davies and Jesse Baird were found a week after their alleged murder.

@Jesse Baird/Instagram

Lamarre-Condon, who had a previous relationship with popular television presenter Baird, is under scrutiny for how he passed police recruitment screening. There are also questions about the procedures that allowed him to borrow a police gun and return it after the alleged murders.

The community was surprised by comments from NSW Police Commissioner Kate Webb, who initially referred to the case as a "crime of passion." She later apologized for her statement.

Many people criticized her for mentioning Taylor Swift to brush off criticism about the police response, saying she was being too casual. Webb later apologized for her comment.

As Mardi Gras approached, tensions were high and some were against NSW police participating. The organizers even initially decided to uninvite the officers from marching in the event.

Our community is mourning the loss of Jesse and Luke, who would have been celebrating with us at the festival, the Mardi Gras board expressed in a statement.

Further adding to our distress was a widely circulated photo of the alleged killer marching in police uniform at the 2020 Mardi Gras.

After days of negotiation, Webb confirmed that police officers would be permitted to participate in the march, although not in uniform.

"I am thrilled that our LGBTQIA+ officers, along with other police who are allies and supporters, will be able to join the march this year, just like they have for the last two decades," she expressed. "I am dedicated to further enhancing the bond between my organization and the LGBTQIA+ community."

But activists say Webb and her force have taken little action to right historic wrongs, and that their participation in the march is performative.

The couple's alleged murder has cast a shadow over the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

The couple's alleged murder has cast a shadow over the annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

Jenny Evans/Getty Images

For the last twenty years, LGBT+ officers and their supporters have participated in the Mardi Gras parade. Event organizers believe this has fostered a positive relationship that is helping to improve the connection between NSW Police and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Sydney’s Mardi Gras originated from a time when LGBT+ activists faced a harsh crackdown by the police. This occurred six years prior to the decriminalization of gay male sexual behavior in NSW in 1984. This event is seen as a crucial part of the healing process following a period of widespread homophobia and discrimination, which led to a deep sense of mistrust between the gay community and law enforcement officers.

That night, marchers were surrounded by police and many were violently attacked. Robert French, a respected '78er who participated in the first Mardi Gras in 1978 and the subsequent protest movement, recalls that 53 people were arrested during the event.

French reflects on the complex history between the LGBTQ+ community and law enforcement. He admits feeling conflicted when he sees police presence at the parade. Despite his reservations, he acknowledges the role they played in initiating the events that led to the establishment of the Mardi Gras celebration.

In 2016, the former NSW Police Superintendent Tony Crandell apologized to the '78ers on behalf of the force. He mentioned that their relationship is now healthy, positive, and progressive, but this wasn't the case in the past.

Protestors calling for gay and lesbian rights clash with police officers during the Mardi Gras march on Oxford Street in Sydney on International Homosexual Solidarity Day on June 24, 1978.

Protestors advocating for the rights of gay and lesbian individuals came into conflict with police officers at the Mardi Gras parade on Oxford Street in Sydney on June 24, 1978, which coincided with International Homosexual Solidarity Day.

The clash between the two groups took place during the event, showcasing the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.

The image captured by John Sefton/Newspix/Getty Images serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by the gay and lesbian community in their fight for equal rights.

The NSW state government recently received a report on "LGBTIQ Hate Crimes" from a task force. This task force was given the authority to investigate unsolved suspected hate crime deaths of 32 individuals that occurred between 1970 and 2010.

Police attitudes towards the LGBT+ community were a key focus of the investigation. It was discovered that the police had neglected to properly investigate gay hate crimes over a span of 40 years.

Commissioner of the inquiry, Justice John Sackar, determined that the police had shown negligence and hostility towards victims and their families.

Last Sunday, Police Commissioner Webb apologized once again on behalf of the force for not properly investigating deaths that occurred between 1970 and 2010.

Webb reassured the public by stating, "The errors made in the past will not shape our path forward."

However, despite the apology, police have not officially accepted any of the 15 recommendations Sackar made at the end of the inquiry in December.

The recommendations to the police involved reinvestigating certain suspected hate crime murders, as well as suggesting that officers undergo training on LGBT+ bias and work on strengthening their relationships with the LGBT+ community.

For the '78er French, taking action on these issues is the key to rebuilding trust between the police and the community.

French pointed out that the police often seek control, avoid criticism, and are reluctant to engage with feedback from the LGBT+ community. He emphasized the importance of officers being willing to address concerns and respond to criticism in order to improve relations.

Editor's P/S:

The tragic murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies have cast a dark shadow over Sydney's LGBT+ community, highlighting the strained relationship between the community and the police force. The alleged involvement of a serving police officer in the murders has further eroded trust and raised questions about the screening and procedures within the NSW Police.

While the apology from Commissioner Kate Webb is a step in the right direction, it is crucial for the police to take tangible actions to address the historical wrongs and build a more positive relationship with the LGBT+ community. The recommendations from the "LGBTIQ Hate Crimes" task force provide a clear roadmap for such actions, including reinvestigating suspicious hate crime deaths, providing training on LGBT+ bias, and strengthening community engagement. By embracing these recommendations and demonstrating a genuine commitment to change, the NSW Police can begin to rebuild trust with the LGBT+ community and foster a more inclusive and respectful society.