The meeting’s focus was in reaction to news that Denver Pride, a larger and older regional event, announced it would not permit LGBTQ police officers to participate in any 2021 Pride Fest events. A separate foundation governs that event. He was also the driving force behind Aurora Pride, now a years-old organization that honors and supports Aurora’s LGBTQ residents, and especially its families. Cunningham is president and former publisher of Colorado’s Out Front Magazine, one of the nation’s oldest news sources serving the LGTBQ community. “I am heartbroken we’re faced with this decision,” a visibly upset Jerry Cunningham told fellow Aurora Pride board members yesterday during a hastily called virtual meeting. The pressing heft of the police-reform-Black-Lives-Matter conundrum landed squarely on Aurora and Denver Pride organizations this week. The raids gave rise to a protest march that eventually became the annual pride parade.Aurora Police Captain Redfearn (left) with husband, Javier, marching in a Denver Pride parade. Last month Saunders officially issued a statement saying that police regret the infamous bathhouse raids targeting the city’s gay community in the 1980s. Toronto police have not commented on the protest or the demands so far.Ĭhief Mark Saunders marched in the parade Sunday along with throngs of uniformed police officers and other groups.
He said the police union will wait to see how Pride organizers respond to the demands by Black Lives Matter. This about inclusiveness, it’s about community and now they’ve attempted to drive a wedge in that community.” “Unfortunately, it’s a great event and it’s been hijacked by Black Lives Matter,” McCormack said. Responding to the protest Sunday, Toronto Police Association President Mike McCormack called the demand that police no longer have a float “ridiculous” and “offensive” and warned that it could have serious negative consequences for the relationship between the police and the community.
“I think one of the major tensions of this particular day is ‘who feels safer with the presence of police?’ More than that, should they be in their uniforms and participating in the parade in the first place.” “This isn’t about excluding police, this is actually about making our movement more inclusive,” Black Lives Matter organizer Janaya Khan said. Speaking with CP24, protest organizers said that the demands are geared toward making the parade feel more inclusive for marginalized groups. And we are committed to having that discussion with them and making sure that next year’s parade is one that is inclusive and safe and welcoming to everybody.” “It is very important to many aspects of our community and that is an issue that Black Lives Matter has wanted to bring to the front. “I think that the police representation in the parade is an important topic of discussion. “It’s something that we’re going to sit down with the Toronto police and have a discussion about,” Glynwilliams said. However Pride co-chair Aaron Glynwilliams told CP24 that the protest is the start of a conversation about the issues raised. “Over the years, Pride has threatened the existence of Black spaces at Pride that have existed for years.”Ĭhantelois was not available for interviews following the parade. “Pride Toronto has shown little honour to Black queer/trans communities, and other marginalized communities,” the group said in a statement. In addition to demanding that police floats no longer be a part of the parade, the list included stipulations that Pride organizers commit to continued space, funding and logistical support for the group Black Queer Youth and that organizers make a commitment to more Black deaf and hearing ASL interpreters for the festival.
The parade only resumed after Pride Toronto Executive Director Mathieu Chantelois signed a list of demands presented by the group. The group, which had been invited to participate in the parade, brought the event to a stand-still for several minutes with a sit-in near Yonge and College streets this afternoon.
A sit-in protest staged by Black Lives Matter- Toronto at the Toronto Pride Parade is sparking controversy after the group presented a list of demands that includes barring police floats from future parades.