Greg Callaghan, author of the book and podcast series Bondi Badlands told the gathering that, as Sydney became an “international gay beacon” during the late 1980s with the promotion of Mardi Gras, “because of stigma surrounding HIV-AIDS and criminalisation. The real number of murders is probably much higher, as many did not go to the police for fear of homophobic reprisal. United States: Republicans attack abortion, LGBTI rightsĪn estimated 88 gay men were murdered and many people were assaulted during this period.