“We actually had to sue in the United States federal court in 1997 for the right to march in the NYPD uniforms in New York City Pride,” he said. Shepard said they’d been monitoring the situation in Toronto since last year’s Pride parade.īeing able to march in uniform is important to the NYPD, he said, because until 1997, officers were unable to do so. William Shepard, the executive director of GOAL, sent a letter to Toronto police on May 19, requesting permission for officers to march in uniform along with members of the NYPD and the NYPD marching band and colour guard. “I think it’s sad Toronto couldn’t be that progressive and that inclusive.” “I think, isn’t it a mature way to look at things when you’re talking about an inclusive parade, when you’re talking about an inclusive event,” said McCormack. Mike McCormack, the Toronto Police Association president, lauded the invitation to the New York Pride parade, which is on the same day as Toronto’s, June 25. The invitation came from the Gay Officers Action League (GOAL) of New York, a civil rights organization dedicated to addressing the concerns of gay and lesbian law enforcement personnel. Though the Toronto Police Service is barred from marching in uniform at this year’s Pride parade, they may be marching alongside NYPD officers at the New York parade next month.
