Gail Hewison, activist
“What did happen was totally unexpected. Our parade was celebratory and peaceful. We were marching down Oxford Street to Hyde Park, some of us were dressed up and we had a truck with music on it, which was confiscated by the police. We chanted, ‘Out of the bars and onto the streets!’ and more people joined the marchers. Unexpectedly, we were trapped and attacked in Darlinghurst Road by the police. I was grabbed by the hair and pulled backwards across Darlinghurst Road and thrown into a paddy wagon. The police were very violent. About 54 of us were arrested and spent the rest of the night in jail.
“We were charged with illegal procession and resisting arrest. Eventually, after a year of court cases, the police dropped all the charges. As a consequence, our movement was energised, inspired and brought together. We went on to create amazing support services and resources. We made opportunities for younger LGBTQIA+ people to find their community and we built the amazing movement we have today,
