Events in toronto: Toronto police invited to march at Pride in New York

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

Toronto police invited to march at Pride in New York

Another city has invited members of the Toronto Police Service to march in uniform in their Pride parade.

According to the Canadian Press, The Gay Officers Action League in New York sent a letter last Friday inviting Toronto officers to join their Pride March on June 25, the same day as the Toronto Pride parade.

Toronto Police have yet to officially respond to this invitation. Earlier this month, Pride Toronto said officers were welcome to participate in this year's parade without uniforms, guns or cruisers.

Since last year's Pride parade the relationship between Pride Toronto and the Toronto Police Service has been especially complicated.

Pride Toronto's city-based funding has been called in question after the organization officially accepted Black Lives Matter's list of demands.

It seems as though some Torontonians agree with the move.

Thank you to @NYCPride for inviting Toronto police officers to your event, maybe pride Toronto will take the hint for next year
— Frida Kahlhoe (@TravisFabCook) May 23, 2017

The president of the Gay Officers Action League told CP24 he believes it's important for officers to march in uniform.

“If Toronto officers would like to march proudly as open LGBTQ criminal justice professionals in a march and they feel it’s important to identify both as an officer and a member of the community – we welcome them with open arms,” he said.

The Toronto Police Force's LBGTQ Internal Support Network are thankful for the invite.