NYPD marches armed gay police at Queens Pride parade, rips Manhattan organizers for blocking them: ‘Slap in the face’
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch on Sunday criticized the exclusion of LGBT police officers from marching in uniform with their guns in Manhattan’s Pride March – before joining the group in the Queens version.
“They also blocked NYPD officers from marching in full uniform later this month,” Tisch said of the Manhattan organizers.
“That decision is as hypocritical as it is a slap in the face of the New York City Police Department and its spirit of pride.”
“I’m asking New Yorkers to join me in speaking out against Heritage of Pride’s offensive and indiscriminate action on this issue,” she said.
Tisch delivered his scathing remarks before marching in the Queens Pride Parade alongside members of the Gay Officers Action League, who carried their guns, insisting that weapons are part of their uniform.
The organizer of the Manhattan event, Heritage of Pride, first informed GOAL in 2021 that its members would not be allowed to march in full uniform in response to the wave of protests by George Floyd and anti-police sentiment.
The ban was supposed to last for four years before the organization reviewed its ban.
The organizers are adamant that the police can still march without their working weapons.
Heritage of Pride said in a statement that its members voted, “overwhelmingly,” not to grant GOAL an exception to its policy this year.
“As always, GOAL members are always welcome to participate in the Pride March, subject to our safety rules and guidelines, like all other March participants. We continue to engage in dialogue with GOAL and its membership and encourage them to seek compromise,” the organization said.
“We acknowledge that GOAL marchers and other LGBTQIA+ officials have a desire to march freely and celebrate their dual identities, but our membership has spoken clearly many times now: They must find a way to do so without their weapons.”
The nonprofit said it will continue to work with the NYPD and other government agencies to maintain security measures at the June 27 event, which draws millions of spectators and marchers.
“We continue to work closely with the NYPD and other government agencies to ensure safety, and we are grateful for their cooperation as we march through this important moment for the Pride movement, honoring the legacy of our elders who stood up against NYPD police brutality at Stonewall,” Heritage of Pride said.
This is the second year Tisch has rushed to defend GOAL officials, last year speaking out alongside former New York City Mayor Eric Adams to criticize organizers of the law.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani stopped to greet protesting police while running for office at a Pride March last summer, the New York Times reported. Hizzoner has not made a public statement about the policy.
City Hall did not respond to The Post’s request for comment.
