Participating in parades

**hughb** · 07-24-07, 08:37 PM

San Diego, California just had it's Gay Pride parade and the police department had a section in the parade where officers marched and they showed vintage police cars and paddy wagons.

That seemed odd to me because historically the gay community and police departments have usually been at odds with one another. Some of you have probably heard of the Stonewall riots in New York back in the 60s and the riots after Harvey Milk's murderer was given a very light sentence in San Francisco. The riot in San Francisco actually got personal when after the crowds damaged police cars by turning them over and burning them. Some of the cops took off their badges and guns and took their billy clubs to a gay bar called the Elephant Walk and fought it out.

I was wondering what officers actually thought about participating in a parade like that. It seems so out of place, almost like two enemies have a party together.

**cajunguy** · 07-24-07, 08:45 PM

Community policing maybe?

.

**Willowdared** · 07-24-07, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by hughb

San Diego, California just had it's Gay Pride parade and the police department had a section in the parade where officers marched and they showed vintage police cars and paddy wagons.

That seemed odd to me because historically the gay community and police departments have usually been at odds with one another. Some of you have probably heard of the Stonewall riots in New York back in the 60s and the riots after Harvey Milk's murderer was given a very light sentence in San Francisco. The riot in San Francisco actually got personal when after the crowds damaged police cars by turning them over and burning them. Some of the cops took off their badges and guns and took their billy clubs to a gay bar called the Elephant Walk and fought it out.

I was wondering what officers actually thought about participating in a parade like that. It seems so out of place, almost like two enemies have a party together.

Which was all a very long time ago.

SDPD and SDSO have sanctioned uniformed participation in the Gay Pride parade for a long time.

**jmur5074** · 07-24-07, 09:13 PM

I know there are several departments (mostly large metro) that have a Gay/Bi/Transexual Liason officer, to work with the GBT community.

**countybear** · 07-24-07, 09:27 PM

There's a difference in "policing" and "participating"...

If I were assigned to work it, I would without reservation. If I were assigned to participate in it... fire me, not going to happen. Sorry.

**Willowdared** · 07-24-07, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by countybear

There's a difference in "policing" and "participating"...

If I were assigned to work it, I would without reservation. If I were assigned to participate in it... fire me, not going to happen. Sorry.

No one is "assigned" to march in the San Diego parade. But those that wish to march are allowed to wear their uniform or department polo shirts.

The big controversy surrounding the parade the past few years, is the sometimes NC-17 quality to some of the floats/groups. It's become more of a "family" type event, as gay/lesbian couples settle down and have kids. It's made for an interesting debate.