Sydney Mardi Gras transgender Board member claims they were censured over trans rights

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras‘ only out transgender Board member has claimed she and a fellow member could be formally censured after showing support for trans rights.

SGLMG co-directors Luna Choo and Damien Nguyen say the Australian-based LGBTQ+ organisation has tabled motions that, if passed, would heavily restrict their rights to speak on trans issues publicly.

Choo – the organisation’s only trans member serving on its Board of Directors – and Nguyen faced internal pushback after criticising a decision to reject calls for its corporate sponsors to focus on trans issues in its 2026 Pride march.

Responding to an email from a concerned individual, Choo and Nguyen jointly voiced their support for a member resolution encouraging sponsors to “show support for the trans community” through their parade floats.

SGLMG’s Board voted to deny the motion on 20 January, saying in a statement that it contradicted policies on “creative direction” by telling sponsors what they should and shouldn’t promote.

At the same time, Choo and Nguyen claimed they had been “unjustly” locked out of their Mardi Gras email accounts and were unable to engage with members of the public to address the growing backlash.

Days later, the pair say they were handed notices that the Board had tabled two motions respectively censuring them. They passed on Friday (30 January).

The motions, which PinkNews has seen, direct the pair to admit they violated its conflict of interest policies by sending the email without warning. It does not specify which part of the email amounted to a conflict of interest.

If the co-directors choose not to comply with the resolutions, the Board says it will implement “immediate interim risk controls” which can include suspension or expulsion.

Censures are ‘bigotry masked in corporate speak,’ Luna Choo says

Choo alleged in a statement criticising the Board’s actions that the motion notice she received called her a “man”.

“This is bigotry masked in corporate speak,” they said. “Most people can see through the false claims of governance boundaries. These censures act to affirm bigoted attacks on transgender rights.”

Nguyen accused the Board of repeatedly failing trans people across Sydney and beyond through its actions, which he said included a failure to deliver on members’ calls for trans rights.

“I am appalled that the Board remains firm in upholding transphobia in spite of community outrage and growing anti-trans rhetoric and policy,” he said. “I will continue my unwavering support for the trans community. No LGB without the T.”

SGLMG has faced similar allegations by former members of its Board, several of whom are transgender, accusing them of disciplining staff for supporting trans rights.

Former director, Charlie Murphy, claimed she and other members faced “disciplinary action” for joining a queer rights protest in 2021. Another, Skip Blofield, alleged several Board members, many of whom were trans or people of colour, were forcefully stood down in 2022.

A spokesperson for Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras denied the allegations, telling PinkNews: “Any suggestion that access to official Mardi Gras email accounts may be restricted on the basis of views on trans rights is completely false.”

They added: “Access to email accounts is governed by directors’ obligations and established governances processes, not political or ideological positions. It is disappointing that internal governance matters are being misrepresented and politicised.”

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