New York, N.Y.The decision to prevent armed, uniformed members of the NYPD’s Gay Officers Action League (GOAL) from participating in this year’s Pride Parade drew harsh criticism from NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Saturday.
In a letter to co-chairs Kazz Alexander and Michele Irimia of Heritage of Pride, Tisch referred to the organization’s denial of GOAL’s request to participate in uniform and with service weapons as a “disgrace to the spirit of Pride.”
“As a matter of public and personal safety, GOAL and the New York Police Commissioner’s Office clarified that marching in uniform requires the inclusion of a concealed firearm,” Tisch wrote, citing letters from Heritage of Pride. GOAL members are permitted to wear their uniforms but are not permitted to carry firearms, which is an attempt at an eleventh-hour retreat in your recent public pronouncements.
The commissioner contended that it was contradictory to ask for the security of thousands of NYPD officers in uniform for the event but excluding LGBTQ+ officers. She emphasized that even during public festivities, NYPD policy and safety procedures mandate that officers in uniform carry firearms as well.
Citing community concerns, Heritage of Pride decided in 2021 to restrict visible police participation, which led to the present policy. Amidst public criticism, certain changes were suggested in recent weeks, even if the policy was reaffirmed for this year. Tisch claims that the fundamental problem was not addressed by those adjustments.
The main points of contention are safety and service weaponry.
Tisch insisted that without their service guns, NYPD officers could not lawfully or safely present in uniform. That isn’t the answer. She claimed that the compromise to permit uniforms without guns was a public relations gimmick.
In spite of the dispute, the commissioner’s letter highlighted her department’s dedication to the LGBTQ+ community. She wrote, “We will never falter in our obligation to secure all New York City Pride events, including The March.”
The commissioner’s most recent comments have not yet been publicly addressed by Heritage of Pride. The leadership of the organization earlier stated that they made the choice to adhere to the spirit of the 2021 policy.
As the department’s LGBTQ+ officers’ representative, the GOAL contingent has traditionally marched in the parade. As the parade draws near, their exclusion has emerged as a major topic of discussion.
“You’ve already changed your position once in the past 24 hours,” Commissioner Tisch said in her letter’s conclusion, pleading the organizers to rescind the policy. You can still make the correct decision and make the modification again.
