One that sends the message that LGBTQ activists are happy to engage in the same kind of hateful discrimination they used to condemn. “Excluding police from Pride for the next four years is a bold statement, one reminiscent of the actions taken by Seattle CHOP activists,” Lindsey Anderson wrote in Seattle Gay News.Ī bold statement? It’s a detestable statement. But instead of being criticized, the move is being celebrated by some. And that same police department has members that should be able to turn to its community for support. When the community faces hate crimes, the victims turn to the police. So being told that I can’t participate this year and be proud of not only my job at the community that I’m part of and it just doesn’t sit well with me.” That’s how I identify in my personal life. I worked on Capitol Hill, so I engaged with that community every day, and also outside of work when my uniform comes off, I’m part of that community. “Prior to working for the King County Sheriff’s Office, I was part of the Seattle Police Department. “I’ve been part of this community, and I’m also part of the law enforcement community,” Abts-Olsen explained to the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH. And he was concerned with Seattle Pride’s reluctance to take a position. King County Sheriff’s Deputy Nic Abts-Olsen was also taken aback by the Capitol Hill Pride ban. They just put gay police officers back in the closet.” ‘It doesn’t sit well with me’ Keep yourself in the closet, and you can get along with us.’ Well, in essence, that’s what Capitol Hill Pride is doing to us.
“I grew up in a time in a small city where I had to be closeted, where the main group of people said, ‘be seen, don’t be heard. He chides Capitol Hill Pride for saying he can only go if he leaves his uniform at home, in the closet. It requires a permit, and we want to make sure that we are able to balance both the concerns and the permit requirements.”įor Raguso, the move brought up painful memories of living in the closet. “We can balance that with the mandatory requirements of the city, which requires a police presence for events of this scale. “During the coming year, we’ll be taking the time necessary for a thoughtful process in which we’ll be asking to hear from folks in our community so that our plans are reflective of them,” Marx told KIRO Nights host Jack Stine. With that kind of leadership, it’s no wonder they’re weighing their options on police participation for next year’s event. She is Burien’s version of Councilmember Kshama Sawant, though with considerably less media savvy, vision, name recognition, and community support. They’re hoping enough activists to give them a reason to ban officers.īurien Councilmember Krystal Marx runs Seattle Pride. Seattle Pride, helmed by a far-left politician who doesn’t live in Seattle, is seeking community input before announcing whether they’ll allow LGBTQ cops to march. But the more mainstream pride organization is considering the same.
SEATTLE GAY PRIDE PARADE 2021 FULL
“As such, Capitol Hill Pride is announcing a ban of police at the event and will continue to request police to stay at the perimeters.”Ĭapitol Hill Pride went with a full ban.
SEATTLE GAY PRIDE PARADE 2021 FREE
“To the safety and courtesy of the LGBTQ and diversity community as well as the general public, our responsibility is to present a safe event and is dedicated to creating an atmosphere free of fear or harm for members of the community,” Capitol Hill Pride directors Charlette LeFevre and Philip Lipson LeFevre said in a rambling statement. Otherwise, you’re of little value to the community. Organizers only want you if you’re helping arrest a criminal committing a crime. With one exception: “Except Police!”Īre you an officer in the LGBTQ community? Stay away. On its website, Capitol Hill Pride invited “everyone, LGBTQ and anyone of any orientation, color, background, race, nationality and non-profit organizations to march in support of diversity and equality” to join. Somehow, organizers claim, rallygoers’ lives could be in danger if police were around. The actual ban and potential ban are based on the same misguided, anti-police narrative that has engulfed the city for the last year.
Rantz: Police officer cleared of wrongdoing after smear by Seattle Times Police bans send a disturbing message