Canberra’s LGBTIQA+ community is divided over the decision to exclude the police from having a presence at this year’s SpringOUT Fair Day, either in-or-out of uniform. The purpose was to introduce the new GLLO (Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officer), a role that hasn’t existed in the ACT since the early 2000s.
Lead by Zev Aviv, the founder of No Cops at SpringOUT, the campaign to exclude the police has been met with dismay by many gay men who are reeling after yet another Grindr attack in September, the fourth known incident since July.
Responding to a question from STUN about the ongoing Grindr attacks, Chief Minister Andrew Barr said: “The recent attacks are shocking and sad. Significant investigative work is underway to bring the perpetrators to justice. These attacks reminded me that although we have made so much progress, our community can be a target based on our sexuality and gender identity, even in Canberra.”
SpringOUT and ACT Police are in discussions about options to introduce the LGBTIQA+ Liaison Officer at an alternative event. ACT Policing has reported that it is working with Grindr directly to inform its investigations into the attacks.
