NEW YORK, N.Y. — On Saturday, NYPD Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch sharply criticized Heritage of Pride organizers on Saturday for their decision to bar armed, uniformed members of the NYPD’s Gay Officers Action League (GOAL) from marching in this year’s Pride Parade.
In a letter addressed to Heritage of Pride co-chairs Kazz Alexander and Michele Irimia, Tisch called the decision “a disgrace to the spirit of Pride,” citing the organization’s rejection of GOAL’s request to participate in uniform and with service weapons.
“GOAL and the New York Police Commissioner’s Office clarified that marching in uniform requires the inclusion of a concealed firearm as a matter of public and personal safety,” Tisch wrote, quoting correspondence from Heritage of Pride. “Your recent public statements attempt an eleventh hour retreat: GOAL members can wear their uniforms, but not carry their firearms.”
The commissioner argued that excluding LGBTQ+ officers while requesting the security of thousands of uniformed NYPD members for the event reflected a contradiction. She underscored that NYPD policy and safety protocols require that officers in uniform also carry firearms, even during public celebrations.
The current policy stems from a 2021 decision by Heritage of Pride to limit visible police participation, citing community concerns. While that policy was reaffirmed for this year, some modifications were discussed in recent weeks amid public scrutiny. According to Tisch, those changes failed to resolve the core issue.
Safety and service weapons at center of dispute
Tisch maintained that NYPD officers cannot legally or safely appear in uniform without their service weapons. “That’s not a solution. That’s a PR stunt,” she said of the compromise to allow uniforms without firearms.
The commissioner’s letter emphasized her department’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, despite the disagreement. “We will never waver from our responsibility to secure all New York City Pride events, including The March,” she wrote.
Heritage of Pride has not yet issued a public response to the commissioner’s latest remarks. The organization’s leadership previously said their decision was made to uphold the spirit of the 2021 policy.
The GOAL contingent has historically marched in the parade, representing LGBTQ+ officers within the department. Their exclusion has become a focal point of debate as the parade approaches.
Commissioner Tisch concluded her letter by urging organizers to reverse the policy, stating, “You’ve already changed your position once in the past 24 hours. You can still do the right thing and change it again.”
