(Community Recognition Statements, 07 February 2024, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

On behalf of the Sydney electorate, I'd like to commend Mirco Olivieri for standing up against LGBTIQA+ discrimination and for his selfless calling out of homophobia despite the risk to his own safety. Last year, Mirco was walking along Oxford Street when he saw two large men harassing a young gay man. Mirco intervened to support the victim and the incident became physical. Mirco called the police who arrested him and the two men, charging all three with affray. Mirco was convicted in the Local Court and subject to a two-year community corrections order, while one of the other men received no conviction and a two-year conditional release order. Mirco appealed the decision and his conviction was overturned. He's now looking for ways to support others who stand up against homophobic abuse. I congratulate and thank Mirco for his efforts to challenge prejudice against members of the LGBTQIA+ community.