Statement from the Co-Chairs of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Board

The Board can confirm that board directors Charlie Murphy and Alex Bouchet were stood down temporarily from their positions for a period of 28 days, commencing 4 March 2021.

This followed months of discussions with both Charlie Murphy and Alex Bouchet. Reports they were stood down because of the Mardi Gras protest march are inaccurate.

The Board will meet shortly to discuss its next steps and will provide an update at the appropriate time.

For now, the Board wishes to continue to manage this situation confidentially, respecting the privacy for all those involved.

The Board will continue to work constructively with Charlie Murphy and Alex Bouchet, as well as offer and provide them support during this time.

While we understand this has caused some concern in the community, please know that as a Board, we will always act in the best interests of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras and continue to steer the organisation in the direction that you set for us.

Yours faithfully,

Jesse Matheson and Mel Schwerdt,

Co-chairs, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras