The LGBT Pride march in Calgary, Canada, has banned police officers from attending in uniform, citing “historical oppression” and “institutionalized racism.”
“We acknowledge the historical oppression and institutionalized racism faced by queer/trans people of colour and Indigenous persons, and the potentially negative association with weapons, uniforms, and other symbols of law enforcement,” claimed organizers in a press release.
Despite the ban, Calgary police officers will still be providing security for the event, and there will be an “opportunity for officers to march in the parade out of uniform,” according to CBC.
Calgary Chief Roger Chaffin expressed disappointment at the ban, but claimed the relationship between police officers and the LGBT community is now “far better” than the previous decade.
“We are obviously disappointed with the decision that police will not be allowed to march in uniform, but we are not going to allow it to undo decades of progress between law enforcement and the LGBTQ community in Calgary,” declared Chaffin. “We have a far better relationship with the LGBTQ community now than we did even 10 years ago, and we want to keep that forward momentum.”
President of Calgary Pride, Jason Kingsley, defended the ban by claiming symbols of law enforcement could be “triggering” to attendees, comparing it to PTSD.
“It’s that symbol, that authoritative symbol, that weapon that can actually be triggering and traumatic for individuals who have faced oppression or faced issues,” claimed Kingsley. “So it’s similar to things like PTSD, where sounds or sights can actually trigger these emotions or these responses, where they can relive these kind of traumatic episodes or situations that they’ve experienced in their lives.”
The decision was reportedly made following a meeting between Calgary Pride and “VOICES – Calgary’s Coalition of People of Colour,” and follows similar bans from other Canadian Pride marches, including Toronto, which were influenced by Black Lives Matter. Dozens of police officers from Toronto traveled to New York City to march in a pride parade in that city, while Justin Trudeau marched in the Toronto parade wearing Islam-themed socks for Ramadan.
Numerous people in the LGBT community have protested Calgary Pride’s decision to ban police in uniform, with many announcing that it will be the first year they boycott.
“This is no longer an inclusive pride parade. The Calgary Police Service has done a lot over the years to be inclusive in many ways,” said one gay man to CBC. “I know I, for one, won’t be attending anything that’s associated with Calgary Pride at all, ever again, until this is changed. And I know a number of people who are the same way.”
Calgary Police are longtime LGTBQ allies & part of the community. This is excluding an important group. #ableg https://t.co/cwHszfgBef
— Derek Fildebrandt (@Dfildebrandt) July 26, 2017
LGTBQ people look to uniformed police for help. My friends know they can go to them & the uniform is a symbol of protection. #ableg https://t.co/oidftRTT7l
— Derek Fildebrandt (@Dfildebrandt) July 26, 2017
A tiny group of SJWs on the Pride board are excluding – rather than including – people in and allies of the LGTBQ community. #ableg https://t.co/yBfz9ILUv2
— Derek Fildebrandt (@Dfildebrandt) July 26, 2017
I will still be celebrating Pride with my LGTBQ friends, just not at the parade, unless this decision is reversed. #ableg https://t.co/b1g66R2r0f
— Derek Fildebrandt (@Dfildebrandt) July 26, 2017
What a ridiculous decision by @calgarypride. This isnt Toronto. Guess I won't be walking either.
— Diane ColleyUrquhart (@BigRedyyc) July 26, 2017
This seems counter productive. Its good for both the CPS and the LGBT community to be seen working together and supporting each other.
— Arianne Lowe (@arianne_sg) July 26, 2017
After fighting for many years for Inclusiveness and equality. The LGBTQ community is now guilty of the exact oppression they fought against.
— Viet Squat (@SquatViet) July 26, 2017
Very disappointing. Not inclusive for those in uniform & not productive. I hope Calgary Pride reconsiders. https://t.co/aAPsVtbl6M #ableg
— Brian Jean (@BrianJeanAB) July 26, 2017
Charlie Nash is a reporter for Breitbart Tech. You can follow him on Twitter @MrNashington or like his page at Facebook.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.