Despite blazing heat, more than 400 groups joined the 30th annual Midsumma Pride March in St Kilda on February 2.聽
There was a strong union presence, chanting 鈥淲e鈥檙e here, we鈥檙e queer, we鈥檙e union and we鈥檙e proud鈥, as well as councils, businesses and religious organisations.聽
Conspicuous in their absence were Victoria Police, which was unable to reach an agreement with march organisers who banned marching in uniform last year.
Organisers would have allowed police to march out of uniform, as healthcare workers chose to do, but Victoria Police refused.聽
Transgender Victoria (TV) welcomed the decision to withdraw, but said 鈥淰icPol鈥檚 response remains insensitive to the very real concerns shared by our communities鈥.聽
TV initially withdrew from the march over the inclusion of police, citing its 鈥渓ongstanding commitment to advocating for improvements in police systems and practices鈥.
Trans rights were a major focus of the march, with chants of: 鈥淲hen trans kids are under attack, what do we do? Stand up! Fight back!鈥
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