Police officers have been asked not to attend this year’s Manchester Pride parade in uniform after organisers warned of ‘increased levels of concern’ regarding the presence of cops in GMP gear at events.
The move follows a similar decision made at Oldham Pride last month when GMP banned the use of a rainbow Pride police car due to concerns of 'hate crime'.
The Manchester Pride parade, which will take place throughout the city centre from 12pm on Saturday, sees hundreds of people line the streets to see members of the community, allies, sponsors and supporters, march in unity with the LGBTQ+ community. Uniformed officers from GMP have marched in the parade in recent years.
READ MORE: Manchester Pride 2022 dates, tickets, parade and everything you need to know
While officers will still be able to march in the parade, they have instead been asked to wear ‘civilian clothing’ or t-shirts with the Pride progress flag. They are also unable to wear rainbow epaulettes or laces, as per previous requests from Chief Constable Stephen Watson.
Approached by the M.E.N, a GMP spokesperson simply said: “GMP have been asked by Manchester Pride not to participate in the parade in uniform.”
For some within the force, the decision has been described as ‘reactionary’ following a decision made by Pride in London bosses in July asking uniformed police officers not to attend its annual Parade event. One officer told the M.E.N. they were ‘deeply disappointed’ with the move.
“It appears to me that the decision is a reactionary one which stemmed from the original decision of London Pride to exclude the Met police,” a gay police officer, who asked not to be named, said. “I feel the police in Manchester have, at least in the last decade or two, had a good relationship with Pride and the community in Manchester.
“Whilst I respect the right and decision of Pride organisers to ultimately decide who can and can't take part in the parade, I am deeply disappointed with the decision to exclude uniformed officers. I am an openly proud gay member of the police service and a proud police officer.”
The officer said they feared the decision to prohibit uniformed officers from the parade could even reinforce outdated stereotypes that LGBTQ+ people aren’t allowed to be both openly gay and in the police force.
"I always saw Manchester Pride as an inclusive event, however this decision shows an element of exclusion,” they added. “It was seeing Greater Manchester Police proudly marching with Manchester Pride that made me think that I too could be both a police officer and an openly gay one, never having to hide who I am.
“I fear this decision will prevent further potential recruits from considering the police as a career of choice and worse still, members of the LGBTQ+ community may wonder why the police aren't taking part this year and it's important, in my opinion, that the public know this wasn't a decision made by the police.”
In a statement, bosses at Manchester Pride said there was some ‘sensitivities’ surrounding the topic of uniformed police attending the parade and the decision had been made following discussions with the Greater Manchester Police with Pride network.
A spokesperson for Manchester Pride said: “During a recent conversation with the Greater Manchester Police with Pride network we requested that they consider network colleagues not participating in the Manchester Pride Parade in uniform.
“Over recent years we have received increased levels of concern from members of our communities in relation to the presence of uniformed police officers taking part in the parade.
“As a part of our commitment to listening and responding to our further marginalised LGBTQ+ communities, we are pleased that GMP Police with Pride network recognise the sensitivities around this issue.
“We feel this provides an opportunity for GMP Police with Pride network colleagues to be free to march in civilian clothing or t-shirts which clearly display the colours of the progress flag or freedom flag as a celebration of their identity, following the decision made by Chief Constable Watson to not allow officers to wear rainbow epaulettes or rainbow laces.
“We feel this level of understanding from GMP displays a signal that they are committed to working more closely with our communities and hope to engage them in our anti LGBTQ+ hate crime campaign, which we will be launching later this year.
“We encourage all employers to provide an opportunity for their LGBTQ+ employees to march in the parade.”
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