A response following the 2023 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Annual General Meeting

First and foremost, it is vital to reiterate that Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is an organisation committed to inclusivity, diversity, and the progress of LGBTQIA+ rights. Our primary mission is to create a safe, welcoming space for dialogue, celebration and advocacy within our communities. 

As part of our mission, a Code of Conduct that is based on the basic ICARE Values (Integrity, Creativity, Accountability, Responsibility, Equity) of Sydney Mardi Gras was circulated and referred to several times at our Annual General Meeting on Saturday 9 December. 

At the AGM as part of the business of Sydney Mardi Gras, motions were put to members for their vote.

While all members are welcome to make their voices heard at the AGM, discussion on a number of motions made by members included abusive language, screaming, aggression and name calling that inhibited a safe environment for discussion. 

Whilst the Code of Conduct does explicitly address behaviour deemed as disrespectful and aggressive and ultimate consequences of removal from the AGM.  Sydney Mardi Gras also understands the passion and dedication from our members and the discourse that occurred was an expression of that passion that our members hold.  During the meeting, it was deemed that it would be more inflammatory to remove members from the meeting, and would ultimately stifle points of difference, however, it is apparent that for many other members the level of aggression is also triggering and frightening. 

This led to a procedural motion being put forward by a member to proceed directly to a vote and to not have discussion for or against a further 3 motions. Procedural motions are motions raised during the meeting and must be voted on by all members on the floor, this was one of a number of procedural motions that were raised and voted on during the AGM.

The procedural motion was voted on by the members and passed. It is important to understand that the organisation itself did not make any recommendation regarding the procedural motion, the enforcement of the meetings’ rules are exercised by the AGM Chair. The AGM Chair outlined at the beginning of the meeting that their responsibility is to uphold a safe and democratic environment where all members can be heard. In line with this, the Chair voted against the procedural motion in effort to allow discussion for and against the motions, ensuring all members were heard prior to proceeding to a vote. 

While we support debate and the freedom to discuss all topics, following Saturday’s AGM Sydney Mardi Gras has received a number of complaints regarding the safety of the AGM relating to the behaviour of some members. Sydney Mardi Gras is committed to reviewing the AGM process to ensure the safety of all members in engaging in future discussion. 

Regarding some misinformation online surrounding motion 7,  Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is ALWAYS against hate and intolerance of any kind. War, violence and oppression are something that we stand against, however the motion put forward did not ask members to vote on supporting a ceasefire in Palestine. There were many parts to the motion but it largely dealt with how Sydney Mardi Gras should engage with potential future partnerships. Ultimately, this was voted down by the membership because there is already a mechanism in place for assessing all partners, funding and large-scale contracts; our Ethical Charter. The Ethical Charter examines deeply the social, political and ethical practices and landscape of any potential partners as well as their connection to the LGBTQIA+ community and reflection of our values and mission.

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras condemns violence, bigotry and discrimination.