By Lachlan Abbott and Cassandra Morgan
Victoria Police will not participate in Melbourne’s Pride March after organisers refused its request for members to walk in uniform, a ban the force has branded “a backwards step for inclusion”.
Police announced the decision on Wednesday after Midsumma Festival said on Tuesday that the LGBTQ march, to be held on February 2, would trial a ban on participants wearing formal work uniforms.
Organisers said the move was a shift to a “trauma-informed approach” amid concerns from sections of the LGBTQ community that visible police participation was triggering given past mistreatment at the hands of law enforcement.
In February last year, about 50 protesters confronted police as they marched down Fitzroy Street in St Kilda, throwing paint and chanting “cops kill queers”.
In a statement on Tuesday outlining the new policy, Midsumma Festival said it had been devised after extensive consultation following “unacceptable violence” at the 2024 event.
“We had asked organisers for permission to march in uniform without tactical equipment as in previous years, but this was declined,” a police spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Protesters confront police last February.Credit: Nine News
“Organisers would only allow police to take part if they wore plain clothes or a branded polo. We believe this would be a backwards step for inclusion, especially from our LGBTIQA+ employees who simply want to celebrate being their authentic selves.”
Last year, Chief Commissioner Shane Patton described the protesters who confronted police marchers as an “ugly rabble”. He said it was important the force participated as it needed to improve on its history of LGBTQ mistreatment.
“That’s why it’s so important that we show that inclusivity,” he said on ABC Radio last February.
In response to the police decision on Wednesday, Midsumma organisers said: “We welcome all LGBTQIA+ community members and allies to participate, providing all conditions of entry are met.
The Midsumma Pride March in 2024.Credit: Chris Hopkins
“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.”
Midsumma Festival said the change would affect only a few regular marchers “but could have a significant positive impact for many in our communities”.
“Many members of our LGBTQIA+ communities, especially the most vulnerable within our communities, experience trauma in their lives, which impact upon them today,” organisers said on Tuesday.
“Whilst triggers are unique to individuals, trauma-informed practice prioritises safety and seeks to remove, where practical, common triggers identified as barriers to diverse community engagement.”
The festival said it would seek feedback about the policy after this year’s event.
Controversy about police participation in LGBTQ pride marches also arose in December, when a contentious proposal to prevent NSW Police from marching in the 2025 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade was narrowly voted down.
Speaking at the time, Karen Field, chief executive of Queerspace – a health service for Melbourne’s LGBTQ community – said members of her organisation planned not to walk in Victoria’s Midsumma Pride March as some felt unsafe seeing police in uniform.
Field wanted police to march in plain clothes, or not at all.
Queerspace chief executive Karen Field.Credit: Justin McManus
“What clients and staff expressed to me is that the whole intent and history behind the day is being lost to a corporate one day of showing their inclusion and diversity,” Field said.
“The histories of some of those organisations, including police, are not happy ones with the community.”
On Wednesday, state opposition equality spokesman James Newbury said it was a mistake for organisers to refuse the police uniform request.
“Excluding anyone from a celebration of equality runs against the grain of the spirit of the event,” he said.
“And in the midst of high levels of crime where police are on the front line, we should take every opportunity to thank and include them. Hopefully, common sense will prevail and the event organisers will reconsider their mistaken decision.”
Aiv Puglielli, LGBTQ spokesperson for the Victorian Greens, said: “All that was asked of Victoria Police by the organisers was to not wear the uniform, that’s it.
“If they aren’t willing to even accommodate that request out of care for the community, then it speaks volumes about their institution’s care for LGBTQIA+ people.”
Midsumma Festival said its uniform ban did not affect youth, community or sporting groups. Workplace signage, logos or insignia on informal wear was still supported.
A police spokesperson said officers in uniform would still have a presence at the event to maintain safety, as per separate security arrangements with festival organisers.
“Victoria Police continues to work towards building trust with the LGBTIQA+ community,” the spokesperson said.
The state government has been contacted for comment.
Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.