Big Apple top cop slams exclusion of LGBT cops in uniform at NYC Pride March as ‘deeply offensive'
This Pride is a damn shame.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch ripped organizers of this weekend's city Pride March for banning LGBT cops from participating in uniform even though the festivities are relying on police for security.
3 There will be a police presence at the event Sunday.
Brigitte Stelzer
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'It is deeply offensive that for the fifth year in a row, the NYPD's gay officers' action league is banned from fully participating in the New York City Pride March,' the top cop said during a press briefing Friday.
'It is the height of hypocrisy that uniformed officers are fit to line the parade route and keep everyone safe, but they are unable to march in their own uniform and under their own banner.'
The event organizer, Heritage of Pride, first informed the Gay Officer Action League (GOAL) in 2021 its members would not be allowed to march in the parade during a wave of George Floyd anti-cop sentiment.
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The ban was supposed to initially last four years before the organization would reconsider its prohibition.
Det. Brian Downey, president of GOAL, argued the policy makes 'queer officers vanish, while the same institution is asked to secure the march.'
3 Gay members of the New York City Police Department prepare to march in the annual Queens Gay Pride Parade in 2023.
Corbis via Getty Images
'The ones being asked to stay out of sight are us, the gay, the trans, the queer, and our allied officers who have risked everything to serve both this city and this community. It is not about safety, it is about exclusion' Downey said.
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'We've heard the justifications. We've heard that it's about safe spaces and community trauma, and we respect and we acknowledge that that trauma is real. But this policy does not create safety. It creates friction and fiction.'
Heritage of Pride said in a statement it rejected GOAL from marching because the law enforcement group wanted its officer to march with 'the concealed carry of their firearm.'
'GOAL, the Gay Officers Action League, asked for an exception to our weapon policy so their members could march in their full dress uniforms – which includes the concealed carry of their firearm,' a Pride spokesperson said.
'Our membership voted this year to continue our policy for all Marchers without any exceptions for GOAL or other organizations.'
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The Post has sought further comment from GOAL.
Tisch said she had 'productive' talks with Heritage of Pride ahead of the parade, but at the '11th hour' she was told cops could not march in uniform two weeks ago.
'I was shocked,' she said, adding organizers did not provide a reason for the prohibition.
Mayor Eric Adams said at the briefing he doesn't understand the logic.
3 Tisch and Adams both criticized the decision.
Matthew McDermott
'I truly support what GOAL is pushing for,' Hizzoner said. 'The organizers made this decision, members of the LGBTQ+ community and the city — they are not making that decision.'
Tisch, during briefing mainly focused on security, said there are no known, credible threats to the parade that is set to start at 11 a.m. or related events this weekend.
She said her department has been working with law enforcement partners and organizers to keep attendees safe.
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