Calgary Pride turns down UCP bid to march in parade

Police commit to Calgary Pride march in plain clothes after ban on uniforms, parade float

Calgary Pride welcomes police officers to march in this year’s parade, but without uniforms, firearms, vehicles or “any forms of institutional representation, such as floats,” says the organization.

“We acknowledge the historical oppression and institutionalized racism faced by queer/trans people of colour and Indigenous persons, and the potentially negative association with weapons, uniforms, and other symbols of law enforcement,” reads the release from Calgary Pride.

The decisions follows similar moves taken this year in Toronto and Vancouver, where LGBT activists requested that officers participate in plain clothes.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-pride-police-no-uniforms-1.4222363

Calgary Pride turns down UCP bid to march in parade

Elizabeth Cameron writes in Metro News Calgary:
You won’t see the province’s newest political party marching in the Calgary Pride parade this year, but event organizers say the United Conservative party (UCP) could participate in the future if its platform and policies are crafted to be inclusive.
Calgary Pride president and executive producer Jason Kingsley said in a letter to the UCP this week their application to participate in the annual parade had been denied because their party lacks clear policies in support of the LGBTQ community.
“We would like to encourage a collaborative learning opportunity prior to participating as parade entries,” Kingsley wrote.
He said if the caucus demonstrates a commitment to the community through their platform and policies and takes part in Pride training sessions provided by the Calgary Sexual Health Centre, UCP MLAs could join in during future parades.

http://www.lgbtory.ca/2017/08/21/calgary-pride-turns-down-ucp-bid-to-march-in-parade/