Cheers for MPs over Mardi Gras apology

They packed into NSW Parliament and erupted in cheers as MPs apologised, but the first Sydney Mardi Gras protesters say they are still waiting to hear from police almost 40 years after they were bashed and arrested.

Some so-called 78ers, more than 500 who took to the streets of Darlinghurst in June 1978 protesting against the criminalisation of homosexual acts and discrimination against the gay community, rejoiced in Thursday's apology.

Successive MPs from all sides of politics lined up to speak, each apologising and reflecting on the impact of the 78ers in the state and their personal lives.

Sydney Independent MP Alex Greenwich received a standing ovation after his brief speech, in which he said NSW would not now have "the gayest parliament in Australia" without the original protesters.

"Many 78ers, who participated in that peaceful march that ended in brutality from government agencies, could not back then imagine the day where you have two openly gay members of parliament sitting across this chamber and delivering a formal apology on behalf of this parliament for what happened to you," he said.

Being gay in 1978 brought with it huge social and economic risks, Mr Greenwich said.

Following the initial Mardi Gras march, 53 people who were arrested had their names, addresses and occupations printed in the Sydney Morning Herald, which apologised on Wednesday.

"There were significant and devastating repercussions for the 53 people," Mr Greenwich said.

"People lost their jobs and people lost their families."

While welcoming the apology, 78er Peter de Waal said he really wanted a chance to sit down with police over a cuppa.

"To ask them why they were so obsessed with violence and if they know what it did to our lives," he told AAP.

Broadcaster Julie McCrossin was arrested that night, but commended the force for the changes it had made since.

"They have completely changed themselves, they have GLBTQ (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer) liaisons ... they march on a float in Mardi Gras. They've done a tonne," she said.

"If they could pull off an apology that would be nice."

When asked if the NSW police would offer an apology, a spokesman said, "This is a matter for consideration by the whole of government."