Discussing the new policies in effect for this year’s parade
A vote to eliminate police presence at this year’s Toronto Pride Parade was passed on Jan. 17.
This vote makes these changes permanent; no more officers taking part, walking alongside proud LGBTQ+ members of the community, waving the familiar rainbow flag.
Police officers will stay around to keep the peace, but with the exception of the few LGBTQ+ officers who will walk alongside the parade sans uniform, there will be no police involvement.
What is interesting to me is that during Tuesday’s annual meeting, this item was not on the original agenda, but was instead added last minute due to requests from the crowd. It was from a list of demands issued by Black Lives Matter Toronto.
Part of me is heartbroken about this decision, considering the LGBTQ+ community prides itself on the inclusion of individuals from all walks of life.It’s an odd kind of irony that one organization should be excluded from the parade—however we must recognize that there is a history of animosity between marginalized communities and law enforcement.
After all, Pride Toronto’s origin is synchronous with protests against police bathhouse raids during the early ’80s. Police officers, armed with sledgehammers and crowbars, stormed into Toronto bathhouses and arrested more than 250 gay men.
Yet, those outside of the police force were not the only ones facing discrimination and unfair treatment. Several individuals serving within the force had to hide their orientation in fear of scorn from their coworkers or even losing their job.
Thankfully, today that is not a pressing fear and the police department is hiring more openly LGBTQ+ police officers.
The police stalls and floats that were at the Pride Parade each year provided information to those interested in enlisting with the Toronto Police Force. It is disappointing that they will no longer be available to those attending the Pride Parade. However, what made me curious was why this was a last minute addition, and why it was not part of the agenda from the beginning.
LeRoi Newbold, a leading committee member of Black Lives Matter Toronto, stated, “We believe it would be safer to have Pride without policing.”
I understand that the Toronto Police and Black Lives Matter have a very strained relationship due to past unfair treatment, however, arguing in favour of the ban could be seen as a discontinuation of Pride Toronto’s long standing spirit of inclusion.
Isn’t the Pride Parade supposed to be about inclusion, understanding, and acceptance?
If we can accept and include someone for their sexuality, then why can we not accept and include someone for their occupation?
If you exclude someone due to one’s organization, what is to say that you cannot exclude another?
It is reasonable that LGBTQ+ officers who are proud to serve Toronto as both members of the LGBTQ+ community and as officers of law could take issue with this new ban.
Photo courtesy.