The original 1978 Mardi Gras marchers have received an apology from The Sydney Morning Herald for publishing their names, addresses and occupations at a time when homosexuality was outlawed.
SMH editor-in-chief Darren Goodsir issued a statement on Wednesday, one day before NSW Parliament's official apology to the 78ers for the ill treatment they received at the hands of the police.
While the paper followed the standard practice at the time to include extensive details of those jailed, outing protesters in print caused many to lose jobs, family and friends.
"We acknowledge and apologise for the hurt and suffering that reporting caused," Mr Goodsir said.
"It would never happen today."
Three days after the protest march ended in a showdown with police, the SMH published personal details of all 53 men and women who were arrested.
Sydney University academic and 78er Mark Gillespie remembers the price many activists paid for being outed in a major daily newspaper.
"As a high school teacher working for the NSW Department of Education, coming out posed a major risk for me ... it could mean the loss of my job," he wrote in an article for The Conversation.
"Living a double life was a means of survival."
Mr Goodsir has offered to meet members of the 78ers so he can personally apologise.
Liberal MP Bruce Notley-Smith will introduce a motion of apology to the NSW Legislative Assembly on Thursday where it is expected to pass with bipartisan support.
