Calgary Police Service did not apply to participate in this year’s Pride Parade and will not be marching, but officers are encouraged to join the celebration out of uniform, according to Calgary Pride.
Calgary Pride said in a release Monday that they will uphold their existing policy on formal uniforms by disallowing police and paramilitary groups in uniform to march. The organization added that “police have not always been kind to our community, or even welcoming of our community within their ranks.”
“Calgary Police Service understands the complexity of this issue, and in order to honour the space needed for marginalized and sometimes vulnerable members of our community to feel a sense of belonging, they did not submit an application to participate in the parade,” said Calgary Pride.
Officers are encouraged to participate in the parade without formal uniforms, as civilians under the banner of their favourite community groups, churches or as alumni of their alma mater.
“With specific regard to police in uniform, it is important to recognize that a professional uniform can be removed at the end of a workday, but it is impossible to shed one’s race, gender and sexual orientation,” said Calgary Pride.
When Calgary Pride made the decision to prevent CPS from marching in the parade in 2017, the police chief at the time, Roger Chaffin, was disappointed. However, he said the decision wouldn’t undo decades of progress between law enforcement and the LGBTQ2 community in the city.
Last summer, Calgary police co-signed a statement with Calgary Pride, Mayor Naheed Nenshi and others, saying officers were “warmly invited” to participate without uniforms, and that each party was committed to conversations addressing the concerns raised by marginalized people.
This year’s Pride Parade is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 1, along 6 Avenue S.W. downtown.
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