<P> "Peter Urmson says' this is our gift to the city' . It was not his to give...For 20 - plus years we have been able to force the mainstream media to call it the' Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras .' They had to say the words . For a long time they did not want to but we made them . That has been thrown away ." </P> <P> The name of the festival was subsequently restored as the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras . </P> <P> In 2013, the New South Wales Police were accused of police brutality after a video shot by a bystander showing a handcuffed man thrown to the ground by an officer . By 2014, all charges against the bystander were withdrawn by police and the officer concerned was facing disciplinary proceedings . </P> <P> On a number occasions, there have been controversies with, and bans of, the UFO - related Raelians participation in the parade . A Raelian spokesman said the bans were unfair as the Raelians support non-discrimination and have gay and lesbian members . </P>

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