Danielle Laidley criticizes the decision not to invite NSW Police to Sydney’s Mardi Gras after the officer was charged with the murder of two gay men.

Danielle Laidley criticized the decision not to invite NSW Police to Sydney’s gay and lesbian Mardi Gras parade on Saturday.

Event organizers did not invite police to the parade following the arrest of police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon. He is accused of the murders of Channel 10 presenter Jesse Baird, 26, and his boyfriend Luke Davies, 29.

It was then agreed that police officers would be allowed to march in the parade, but in plain clothes rather than uniforms “in consideration of current sensitivities”.

Former AFL star Danielle, 56, has now criticized the initial decision to disinvite NSW Police from the LGBTQIA+ parade.

Danielle, who is transgender, told the Herald of the sun: ‘As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t matter if you’re in the rainbow community, you’re a police officer or you’re from a different cultural background (…) or you’re a good person or you’re ‘Not.’

He also shared his devastation over the alleged murder of gay couple Baird and Davies, and urged people to “be there for each other” and “support” each other.

“As long as people are talking and helping each other and being there to help each other, it’s really important,” he said.

“It’s a celebration and there’s a lot of love and support at Mardi Gras and it gives people a chance to be themselves with great support.”

Singer Anthony Callea, Ellie Gonsalves and Hugh Sheridan were also among the celebrities who condemned the initial decision to disinvite police from the parade.

Before the rule change to allow them to march in plain clothes, it would have been the first Mardi Gras parade in 26 years that did not have a section for police officers.

Mardi Gras organizers have announced that a moment of silence will be held in memory of Baird and Davies during the parade, which will begin at 6 p.m.

“We will take a moment to honor and remember Jesse Baird and Luke Davies, whose lives were tragically taken from us,” the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras said in a statement on Saturday.

‘This moment of remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of the ties that unite us and the memories of those we hold dear.

‘As the Dykes on Bikes approach Taylor Square for their second pass, the heart of our parade, they will pause.

“This serves as a signal for all attendees to join in a moment of silence.”

It comes after Danielle attended Virgin Australia’s Pride Flight party on Friday ahead of the Mardi Gras parade.

At the event, he appeared to put the past behind him as he posed with police officers and his partner Donna at the Melbourne event.

In 2020, the police leaked a photo of the old north Melbourne AFL player and coach wearing a wig and makeup after being arrested for stalking and breaching a family violence order, resulting in a good behavior bond with no conviction or fine.

Victoria Police’s internal discipline board later ordered 11 officers, ranging in rank from constable to sergeant, to pay up to $3,000 to Danielle.