On 25 February 2016, members of the Legislative Assembly formally apologised to the attendees of the 1978 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, dubbed the 78ers, who were forcibly dispersed by police. Members of the Legislative Council also commended the advocacy work done by the 78ers and placed their own apology on record.

The first Sydney Mardi Gras took place on 24 June 1978, when over 500 people assembled at Taylor Square for a public demonstration and march for issues affecting the gay and lesbian community. The peaceful demonstration was forcibly broken up by police, who made 50 arrests that day. Some news outlets published the names, occupations and addresses of those arrested, 'indifferent to the likelihood that those named would subsequently become victims of discrimination and harassment.'

'For the mistreatment they suffered that evening, as a member of this Parliament who oversaw the events of that night, I apologise and I say sorry. As a member of the Parliament which dragged its feet in the decriminalisation of homosexual acts, I apologise and say sorry. And as a proud gay man and member of Parliament offering this apology I say thank you. The actions they took on 24 June 1978 have been vindicated. The pain and suffering meted out to them on that night and afterwards was undeserved. On that evening they lit a flame of the gay rights movement in Sydney that burned its way to law reform and societal acceptance. To the 78ers I say sorry, but also thank you.' – Mr Bruce Notley-Smith, former Member for Coogee.

You can read the full transcript of the apology in the Legislative Assembly, here  and here. And the apology in the Legislative Council here.

All photos are sourced from the State Library of NSW.