Defence Force won't take part in Auckland Pride after police uniform ban

Monday, 19 November 2018

The New Zealand Defence Force will not walk in next year's Auckland Pride Parade after the festival board banned police officers from wearing their uniforms.

Squadron leader Stu Pearce said the Defence Force would not be applying to participate in the 2019 parade.

'We do not feel comfortable participating in an event that excludes other uniformed services,' he said.

'Like Defence, Police are on their own journey and are fully committed to inclusive diversity.'

**READ MORE:

* All you need to know about Pride Parade ban

* Decision to ban police uniform 'fascist'

* Pride Parade's hui over police uniform ban 'a circus'

* Cops welcome to Wellington pride parade

* Police 'banned' from wearing uniforms to pride

* Negotiations' over uniform ban**

The NZDF would still be participating in other pride events around the country, including Wellington International Pride Parade, Pearce said.

Next year would also mark the 25th anniversary of the lifting of the ban on gay and lesbian Kiwis in open service, he said.

'The NZDF is an inclusive employer, we work to ensure all of our people are empowered to be the best they can in the service of New Zealand.

'We achieve this through engagement, education and dialogue and by upholding our core values.'

A meeting on Sunday night to discuss the police uniform ban was described as a 'circus', with gay icon and parade veteran Mika describing the uniform ban as 'fascist' and 'elitist'.

Manurewa MP Louisa Wall attended the meeting and said she understood the board had made its decision to protect transgender members of the community, some of whom felt intimidated by police.

'We have all had different experiences as part of the community but the reality is that our trans [people] are the most excluded,' Wall said.