I have never visited this group before, but would like to hear your opinions.

[Mr.Bill]

The San Francisco organizers of the Pride Parade has decided to ban LGBT police officers from wearing their uniforms in the parade. They will boycott the parade, and so will the fire department, the Mayor and some other LGBT political dignitaries.

I am not LGBT but grew up in the San Francisco bay area.

Here's a link: https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/San-Francisco-pride-police-17188144.php

Discuss?

[madaboutharry]

1. A paywall won't let me read the article.

What is the rationale for not allowing them to wear uniforms?

It is hard to comment without knowing the reasons for banning the officers from wearing uniforms. But on its face it seems reactionary and kind of extreme.

[Mr.Bill]

2. I got a header ad that asked me to join,

but I just scrolled down and read the article. Anyway, just google SF pride parade 2022 and you will find all kinds of info. Cliff notes: There is apparently a faction among the LGBT community that just doesn't like cops. I find it extreme, too. SF probably has more LGBT public servants than any other city in the country, including a Lesbian Fire Chief, the first in the country.

[madaboutharry]

3. Thanks.

Well, I think that is bullshit.

That is the kind of thing that is counterproductive.

Frankly, that’s what extremism looks like and it’s never pretty.

[Mr.Bill]

4. I think your last sentence

sums it up very well. Hopefully they can get this cleared up.

[AlexSFCA]

5. it's appalling! SF has a lot of lgbt cops! The pride belongs to them as much to any lgbtq person

[RevBrotherThomas]

6. A partial explanation (I can't get past the paywall either)...

The 1st "Pride Parade" was a riot/uprising against the police who were arresting LGBTQ+ folks for being who they were at the Stonewall Inn on June of 1969. Many in the LBGTQ+ community don't want the "uprising" spirit of Pride to be lost. Many still feel that the police and much of "straight" society continue to be our oppressors. Wearing a police uniform emphasizes this; and wearing a rainbow flag pin on the lapel a couple of days out of the year won't change that.

Secondly, many don't like that Pride has homogenized into corporate sponsored events. That Pride shouldn't forget or lose its roots as a cultural and societal uprising, rather than a street party.

[Mr.Bill]

7. Interesting points.

Thanks for the response.