Chris Piedmont, Media Director
At a time when trans youth are under attack, queer art is being erased, and the clock is being rolled back on LGBTQIA+ rights across the country - with painful headlines and Supreme Court rulings breaking just today - NYC Pride remains focused on advocating for our community as we face an onslaught of attacks.
But we want to clarify ongoing mischaracterizations regarding police in our March: everyone is welcome to March with NYC Pride, so long as they follow our rules and guidelines, in place to ensure the protection of our marchers, spectators, and community. GOAL, the Gay Officers Action League, asked for an exception to our weapon policy so their members could march in their full dress uniforms - which includes the concealed carry of their firearm. Our membership voted this year to continue our policy for all Marchers without any exceptions for GOAL or other organizations.
To be clear, GOAL is welcome to march without weapons like every other contingent and we welcome them to join us as we March to protect trans youth, advocate for full equality and stand in proud defiance of the attacks our community is facing.
NYC Pride remains in conversation with GOAL and has shared multiple additional opportunities for their members to show up in support of our entire community, and we will continue those conversations as we work with GOAL in our shared vision to improve policing.
