Decision to ban police uniform at Pride Parade 'fascist' says Mika

Thursday, 15 November 2018

The Auckland Pride Parade includes a cast of thousands

The decision to ban police from wearing their uniforms during Auckland's Pride Parade by the festival's board, has been described as 'fascist' and 'elitist' by Mika, a gay icon and parade veteran.

'These things are about inclusion, and we've got our community within the police force who want to represent us,' said Mika.

'We are talking about the inclusion of a community, dressed in their own drag, supporting the kaupapa (subject). I don't understand the Pride Board's decision. It's fascist and elitist.'

Last week the Pride Festival board and the New Zealand Police were in negotiations after news broke that the police would not be taking part in the parade because of the uniform ban. Instead, they were told by organisers that they could wear t-shirts.

**READ MORE:

Gay icon Mika says the Pride Board are 'fascists' for not allowing NZ Police to wear uniforms during the Pride Parade.

* NZ Police 'banned' from wearing uniforms to Pride Parade

* Pride, public relations and the police

* Rainbow police car launched for Pride festival

* Spark waves goodbye to customer over gay pride advert**

The board's stance caused outrage within the community and large groups even threatened to boycott the parade.

Today, the board stood by their decision, despite talks with the police. In a press release, the board said their decision came after a thorough consultation process.

'The personal experiences of police mistreatment shared by LGBTQIA+ people throughout this lengthy consultation process were deeply affecting,' the statement said.

'The Board's decision to ask police to march in the 2019 Auckland Pride Parade, out of uniform, was a compromise. The intention was to encourage all people within our rainbow communities to feel safe and included within their own event – without having to exclude our valued LGBTQIA+ police officers.'

Police on horseback at the 2018 Auckland Pride Parade.

Mika, who has been a parade grand marshall and involved in Pride festivals around the world, said the board's decision was treading on dangerous territory.

'As soon as we start not allowing some groups, where do we stop? You start with the police, then it can lead to lesbian groups who don't like transgender. The list can go on.'

Inspector Tracy Phillips, the New Zealand Police's diversity liaison co-ordinator, said she was disappointed by the board's decision.

'It's not the decision that we hoped for. We do take issues relating to the rainbow community seriously. We have 80 diversity officers around the country, who are rainbow friendly officers working within our communities.'

She says the police will still be involved with the Pride Parade on an operational basis, but are now looking to participate and support other events, like the annual Big Gay Out.