The two Pride in Protest-aligned directors on the board of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras have been removed following the weekends Extraordinary General Meeting.
The EGM was held over the weekend following months of campaigning by Pride in Protest (PiP) who cited concerns over trans rights and board diligence among their reasons in calling for an EGM.
Members of Mardi Gras were asked to vote on seven motions, four of which involved the removal of current directors on the board.
PiP in their petition put forward the motions to remove the current co-chairs Mits Delisle and Kathy Pavlich.
However the community rallied behind Pavlich and Delisle, voting to keep both of them in their positions.
71% (1181) people voted to keep Delisle on the board, while just 26% (435) voted to have him removed.
The numbers were similar for Pavlich with 73% (1193) voting for her to stay, while 25% (414) voted for her removal.
While Pavlich and Delisle will keep their board positions, the two PiP-aligned directors Luna Choo and Damian Nguyen will not.
73% (1201) people voted against Choo, while only 26% (441) voted to keep her on the board, and it was a similar story for Nguyen, with 73% of people (1198) voting him out and just 26% (445) of people supporting him.
These resolutions are binding and take effect immediately, so from now, Choo and Nguyen are no longer on the Mardi Gras board.
“What happened today at this EGM was that I was sacked as the formerly most popularly elected board director in Mardi Gras history,” said Choo.
“I was removed from this board just because I was a difficult woman.”
Nguyen said it was clear today that there is a strong division within the Mardi Gras membership, and said he was proud of his term on the board.
“As I finish my term and getting to reflect back on where we are at in the movement, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in our term,” he said.
The vote was welcomed by Protect Mardi Gras (PMG), who campaigned in support of Pavlich and Delisle.
Co-founder of PMG Peter Stahel said today’s outcome was worth celebrating as it united Mardi Gras.
“In an overwhelming vote, members turned up in record numbers – and voted, clearly and together, for an inclusive Mardi Gras that belongs to the whole community,” he said.
Stahel said that for months Mardi Gras had been consumed by unnecessary attacks and it could now focus on its core mission.
“Queer people are under attack around the world, and a big, united, visible Mardi Gras has never mattered more. There is room in this community for everyone who wants to help build it. Many voices. One parade. See you on Oxford Street.”
The Mardi Gras board thanked members for their participation in the EGM and acknowledged that change was needed.
“SGLMG recognises that the calling of this EGM, the process and public debate that preceded it, and the outcome of today’s vote, together point to a need for change within the organisation, regardless of the result of any individual resolution,” they said in a statement.
“The Board will treat this as a mandate to strengthen governance and trust with members.”
At the EGM, members also voted on two motions concerning trans rights as well as a broader governance motion.
The governance motion passed, as did the “No LGB without the T” motion proposed by the co-chairs.
As these motions are advisory in nature the board said it would consider them and determine how to implement them.
“SGLMG reaffirms its commitment to the inclusion and support of all members of the LGBTQIA+SB community, with particular focus on trans members, and will continue to progress this work as the organisation moves toward its 50th anniversary in 2028 — a milestone SGLMG is determined to reach as a stronger, more united and more accountable organisation for the whole community we serve,” said the board’s statement.
