Edmonton Pride challenges police inclusion
The Edmonton Pride Parade on Saturday did not run without protest.
The festivities on Whyte Avenue were halted for an hour due to anti-police protests – from demonstrators representing themselves as a “coalition of queer and trans people of colour.” The protesters handed out leaflets calling for the parade’s organizers to un-invite city police, RCMP and military from marching in future parades. The Edmonton Police pipe and drum band (above) did march on Saturday, with rainbow flags atop their bagpipes.
As more than 100 parade groups waited in the street, the protesters also demanded the Edmonton Pride Festival Society “restructure its board and staff hiring practices to have more representation from people of colour and trans folks” (from the leaflet). The Pride society listened to the demands, and pledged to meet all of the requests – barring police, RCMP and military from marching in parades “until the community is comfortable with their inclusion.”
People cheered when the parade was finally allowed to go on.
The protest was a hot topic for discussion in the evening hours, where many Pride events across Edmonton were sold out, or with long line-ups to get in. The club-goers covered all bases with their opinions: support, neutrality and opposition. Outside the Evolution Wonder Lounge for the #yourgaypride event, and its street festival, it was brimming with discussion. According to one guest, Patrick, “Pride started as a protest of police brutality toward queer people. Even in Edmonton, Pride started after police raided a gay bathhouse; it doesn’t make sense for police to march with us.”
A person named Ally-Hana can see both sides: “Problems do still exist for trans people among the police, but they always will. If the police are included, it shows progress, support and strength. But, if we let them forget what they did, it shows weakness and defeat. We can’t win either way.”
“Charleeze” took a very different stance: “EPS is recruiting at the parade, they want LGBTQ2S members in their ranks to better represent the population. Eliminating the uniforms as a show of good faith and respect, the barrier that has stemmed from previous acts of oppression by law enforcement agencies, can be broken down. This [the protest] was not at all necessary.”
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley about to be licked by a three-legged dog at the Edmonton Pride Parade
The 2018 edition of Edmonton Pride marks the 38th year of festivities. Edmonton Pride Festival spokesperson Dana Marsh shares a bit of history: “Pride in Edmonton has changed immensely over the years. In early years, people took to the streets to march and fiercely advocate for their right to be together, to be employed, to be housed, and to exist. Many marched with bags over their head, fearful that being present in that space would get them evicted, fired, or disowned by their family. The Edmonton Pride Festival has gotten increasingly larger with the help of phenomenal historical figures in our community, and it’s important for us to both celebrate inclusion and increased visibility, as well as continue to fight for those within our community who still face homophobia, transphobia, racism, able-ism, and other forms of discrimination.”
Edmonton LGBTQ has made significant contributions towards the pursuit of equality. Its history in the community is a remarkable one – dating from the early Pride Marches and demonstrations, to the first attendance at a Pride celebration by an Alberta Premier – Rachel Notley in 2015. She was there again marching with the NDP in the parade on Saturday – decked out in rainbows, like everybody and (literally) their dogs.
Throughout the month of June, more than 60 Pride Events are being put on by community groups and organizations; including fundraisers, documentary screenings, parties, drag shows, a queer comedy night, and interfaith church services.
The Pride Parade was the biggest event, of course, ending with the Pride in the Park party on Saturday afternoon with beer gardens, food trucks and live entertainment in Strathcona Park – and despite the delay, the energy of the colourful crowds remained positive, while the focus stayed on being proud of everything the LGBTQ2S community has achieved.
Check out the rest of the Pride schedule here.
Protest photo, second from top, by Paula. E. Kirman, others by Mike Ross
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