NYPD Fires Back At 2025-Ending NYC Pride Ban: ‘It’s Hurtful & Disappointing’
Yesterday we shared that all NYPD officers have been banned from participating in NYC Pride events until 2025. After catching wind of the ban, the NYPD blast back calling the move “hurtful and disappointing.”
As we reported, Heritage of Pride co-chair Andre Thomas claimed it was a difficult decision to make, but was necessary to ensure the safety of trans people and people of color within the LGBTQ+ community. Thomas said, “We know many LGBT cops. But what the institution represents sometimes to a person of color or trans person is violence, and that doesn’t make you feel safe. So that’s the perspective we’re coming from. And it’s a difficult place to be. But we know that’s what our community expects of us at this time.”
RELATED: NYPD Officers Banned From All NYC Pride Events Until 2025
Firing back, we shared that the decision was opposed by GOAL, Gay Officers Action League. Its President Brian Downey called the move “shameful” and “dehumanizing,” while a spokesperson for the NYPD called the decision “disheartening,” since it violates their values of tolerance and inclusion. And now, the NYPD’s Deputy Commissioner John Miller spoke out. Miller tweeted, “@ NYCPride’s decision to exclude members of the NYPD from Pride events is hurtful and disappointing. As this scene reminds us, inclusion and dialogue are the oxygen of reform — everything @ GOALny stands for as they relentlessly challenge and make us a better department.”
RELATED: Florida & New York Make History Electing First Black & LGBTQ Officials
Leave us your thoughts in a comment via Yappa below
.@NYCPride’s decision to exclude members of the NYPD from Pride events is hurtful and disappointing. As this scene reminds us, inclusion and dialogue are the oxygen of reform — everything @GOALny stands for as they relentlessly challenge and make us a better department. pic.twitter.com/odLP9FO4U0
— Deputy Commissioner of Public Information (@NYPDDCPI) May 16, 2021