The 46th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, set to illuminate Oxford Street, will carry a somber tone this year following the alleged murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies in Paddington. The event, which traditionally celebrates love, diversity, and acceptance, will include a moment of silence at the start of the parade to honor the lives of Baird and Davies. Revelers attending the parade are expected to grieve for the couple, with many in the community feeling as though they've lost brothers. The alleged killer, Constable Beau Lamarre-Condon, is currently under investigation, with the police fact sheet revealing new details about his actions leading up to the tragic event. Amidst this backdrop, Qantas has announced a significant tribute to flight attendant Luke Davies during the parade. Additionally, Sydney residents have been advised by Transport for NSW to plan ahead due to multiple train line closures coinciding with the Mardi Gras celebrations. Organizers have also requested that uniformed police refrain from participating in the parade, reflecting the strained relations between the police and the LGBTQ community after the incident.
🏳️🌈Sydney's usually boisterous Mardi Gras parade will take place under a sombre shadow on Saturday, after the grisly killing of a gay couple tested relations between police and the LGBTQ community. Organisers have asked uniformed police not to participate. https://t.co/3EcBkUnSfy https://t.co/vD2sCM0bvp
Sydney Mardi Gras: Parade pays tribute to killed gay couple https://t.co/3WXZvnJZoh
The 46th Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is underway after a tumultuous week for organisers, with revellers experiencing mixed emotions at this year's parade following the deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. https://t.co/UuwLdmuL0h
"As we come together to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance at this year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, we also take a moment to reflect, remember, and pay our respects." https://t.co/BUiTrIPsae
There's no shortage of color in Sydney tonight ahead of the 46th Mardi Gras Parade. Thousands are heading to Oxford Street for the annual celebration of love and unity. @AnnaliseBolt #9News MORE: https://t.co/QQDgGkKwpw https://t.co/tKph8TbTqa
A community has come together to remember Luke Davies and Jesse Baird, a short walk from where the two were allegedly murdered in Paddington. New details have emerged about who their alleged killer, Beau Lamarre-Condon, spoke to and what he said in the days leading up to his… https://t.co/IjvVnaj44H
It's time! Sydney has broken out the glitter for its night of nights as 12,000 marchers and hundreds of thousands of revellers prepare for Mardi Gras https://t.co/um2v0nBR80
It's an act of remembrance, giving us the chance to collectively reflect." The Mardi Gras parade will pause for a moment of silence this evening to pay tribute to allegedly murdered Sydney couple, Luke Davies and Jesse Baird. #9News LATEST: https://t.co/Ua6WyBtFkZ https://t.co/ZDRR06e4xB
The Mardi Gras event will hold a moment of silence at the start of the parade to honour Luke Davies and Jesse Baird. #9News https://t.co/WxztaI0qjp
Sydneysiders have been told to plan ahead after Transport for NSW announced multiple train line closures over the next two months, the first of which begin on Saturday when Mardi Gras celebrations kick off. https://t.co/PIZhK7A5XO
‘It feels like we lost brothers’: Sydney Mardi Gras preparations take on sombre tone after alleged murders https://t.co/idMy5mmFNC
Qantas will honour the life of flight attendant Luke Davies in a huge tribute at the upcoming Mardi Gras parade. https://t.co/fGsfEdud0Q
#9News has obtained the police fact sheet revealing the case against constable Beau Lamarre-Condon. Meanwhile, The 46th annual Sydney Mardi Gras will light up Oxford tomorrow night, but the celebrations will be tinged with sadness. #9News @DamoNews @WesternWilson9 @JayneAzzo https://t.co/r678y9JaW8
#9News has obtained the police fact sheet revealing the case against constable Beau Lamarre-Condon. Meanwhile, the 46th annual Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras will light up Oxford tomorrow, but the celebrations will be tinged with sadness. @DamoNews @WesternWilson9 @JayneAzzo https://t.co/if11WGMS05
How Jesse Baird and Luke Davies’ alleged murders have reignited age-old tensions between Mardi Gras and NSW Police https://t.co/ZiccxR0e1j
Many of the thousands attending the event are expected to grieve for Jesse Baird and Luke Davies. #9News https://t.co/r0TOScXRZT