Onlookers at the 2012 Sydney Mardi Gras
Onlookers at the 2012 Sydney Mardi Gras Flickr Creative Commons/[KMJ Photography Australia]

"I thought I was going to die."

These were the words Peter Murphy used to describe Sydney’s first Mardi Gras and attempt at a parade, which protested the call to end discrimination against homosexuality.

Then 25-years-old, Murphy told the ABC that he was one of 500 people who paraded through the streets of Sydney on June 24, 1978 - a year when homosexuality was still a crime in New South Wales (it would only be decriminalised years later in 1984).

The same day would also see 53 people, Murphy included, arrested and bashed by NSW police.

"I was singled out and bashed, thoroughly. There were just two police present and only one of them beat me," he said. "He would have kept going, except the other guy finally said stop."

This first attempt at a parade is a far cry from the Mardi Gras Sydney and the world is familiar with today: an annual event raising awareness for gay rights and celebrating diversity. However, the horrific events of the premiere Mardi Gras have come to public attention again on Thursday as Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith delivered a Government apology to the 53 people arrested and beaten four decades ago.

Notley-Smith acknowledged the efforts made by the protesters in 1978, and thanked them for the change that they made to society, stating that the NSW parliament is the "gayest parliament" in Australia’s history, and that this would not have been possible if it not for the "bravery, courage and sacrifice" made by the 78'ers (the name given to the protesters of 1978).

"We recognise that you were ill-treated, you were mistreated, you were embarrassed and shamed, and it was wrong," he said.

"I hope it's not too late that you can accept an apology but also we want to recognise that for all of that pain that you went through, you brought about fundamental change in this society and fundamental change for the many gay and lesbian people like myself, who can be open and relaxed about ourselves.

"You were the game changers."

The Public Galley of the NSW Parliament, which included some of the activists who took part in the '78 march, responded with cheers.

The NSW government's apology comes after an apology was made by the Sydney Morning Herald on Wednesday. The newspaper had, three days after the melee of 1978, published the names, addresses and occupations of 53 activists. This was followed by the details of more protestors, whom the publication acknowledged suffered further discrimination, including the loss of jobs and even homes.

"We understand it was practice at the time but it caused a lot of hurt," Steve Warren, a 78er, said of the published details. "Some 78ers lost jobs, lost family contact and, over the years, some even committed suicide."

The Mardi Gras 2016 Sydney parade will be held on March 5 on Oxford and Flinders Street in Darlinghurst.