Sydney Mardi Gras parade pays tribute to Jesse Baird and Luke Davies as thousands march through city

• In short: About 12,000 people marched though Sydney for the 46th Mardi Gras parade.
• The parade began with a minute's silence for Jesse Baird and Luke Davies.
• Protesters briefly halted the parade before being detained by police.

They came dressed head to toe in glitter, rainbows, mesh and feathers, but as thousands of people partied at the 46th Sydney Mardi Gras parade, two men were firmly in everyone's mind.

The alleged murders of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies sent ripples through the LGBTIA+ community, and Saturday night's parade saw their lives celebrated.

The leather-clad Dykes on Bikes opened the parade with a heartfelt tribute to the young couple who were allegedly murdered by serving police officer Beau Lamarre-Condon.

Dykes on Bikes revved through the parade first, with rainbow flags hanging off their mirrors.

On their return lap, they stopped in front of Taylor Square to mark a minute's silence for Mr Baird and Mr Davies before finishing their route.

"As we come together to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance at this year's Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade, we also take a moment to reflect, remember, and pay our respects," a statement from organisers read.

Police officers march at parade

NSW Police officers marched out of official uniform after a controversial decision to stop their participation in the parade was reversed.

Organisers of the parade initially asked police not to take part in the event due to fears their presence could cause distress in the community over the alleged murders of Mr Baird and Mr Davies.

However, that decision was reversed after a meeting with NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb, who also attended the parade, as officers were allowed to march in the parade but not in their uniforms.

Tributes for Sydney couple

The parade started with a welcome to country by Aboriginal drag performer Nana Miss Koori.

"I'd like to offer my condolences to the families of two brothers who were taken away tragically from us," she said at the end of her address.

Then Qantas paid tribute to Mr Davies, who worked for the airline as a flight attendant, by having his name on their float.

The First Nations Community float kickstarted the official parade, followed by the 78ers holding placards to mark important LGBTIA+ milestones in Australia.

Mayor of Sydney Clover Moore and independent Sydney MP Alex Greenwich rolled up in a yellow convertible behind the City of Sydney float.

Police stop protesters

Meanwhile, Pro-Palestinian protesters were detained by NSW Police on the Mardi Gras parade route after disrupting the march with smoke emitters.

Outside the Oxford Hotel, several people tried to unfurl a banner calling for queer solidarity with Palestinians.

Several police officers were seen chasing and tackling the protesters, with at least one being thrown to the ground while still holding the smoke emitter.

Marching behind the protesters was Premier Chris Minns, whose group was forced to stop while police removed the protesters from the road.

About 200 floats and 12,000 marchers passed through the busy thoroughfare in the inner-city precinct, spaced across Oxford Street, Flinders Street and Anzac Parade.

The theme for this year's parade was 'Our Future', with a nod to the past and how far the LGBTQIA+ community has come to be marked by the participants who drove the first Sydney Mardi Gras in June 1978.

Harry and Ross are 78ers, who have been marching annually for nearly 45 years.

Between the two of them, they've only missed five in that time.

Ross said being able to "speak our minds and talk like this" in 2024 represents how far the community has come.

"Years ago you could never stand in front of someone and say you were an openly gay person," he said.

"I hope everyone enjoys themselves and I hope there's no trouble."