All law enforcement groups have been officially banned from participating in NYC Pride, including the Gay Officers’ Action League which often took part in the annual US event. In a press release, the Heritage of Pride (HOP) group, said: “Effective immediately, NYC Pride will ban corrections and law enforcement exhibitors at NYC Pride events until 2025. At that time their participation will be reviewed by the Community Relations and Diversity, Accessibility, and Inclusion committees, as well as the Executive Board.”
It continued: “In the meantime, NYC Pride will transition to providing increased community-based security and first responders, while simultaneously taking steps to reduce NYPD presence at events.” The official New York City Pride group said the move aims to “challenge law enforcement to acknowledge their harm and to correct course moving forward, in hopes of making an impactful change”, while also creating a safer space for BIPOC and trans communities.
Following the announcement, an NYPD spokesperson told The New York Times that “the idea of officers being excluded is disheartening and runs counter to our shared values of inclusion and tolerance.”