Statement Regarding the PRIDE Centre's Stance on Inclusion of Policy in Pride Events
We would like to address some concerns the community has had regarding the presence of the Lethbridge Police Service during Pride Fest events, particularly the parade and Pride in the Park.
The PRIDE Centre strives to maintain our status as a safe space for all queer individuals in our university community and to foster supportive relationships among members and the various local organizations. We understand the objections that individuals have to police presence at queer activism events; members of the administrative team have varying personal opinions and we are committed to finding solutions that work for everyone. We feel that it is important to recognize that there are a large number of individuals within our community that do not feel safe because of the presence of police and security services.
After much discussion, the administrative team has concluded that while the Lethbridge and global queer communities have had and continue to have struggles with law enforcement, the presence of the Lethbridge Police Service is vital to the security of these events. It is important to recognize that queer-specific violence is a real threat and that police services help maintain the security of Pride events. As ordinary citizens, members of our community do not have sufficient ability to manage dangerous situations.
The PRIDE Centre also hopes that the presence of the Lethbridge Police Service in the festivities communicates to the Lethbridge population that violence or other hateful acts towards queer individuals in this area will not be tolerated. However, we urge the Lethbridge Police Service to improve how their officers interact with queer individuals in this area, as the comfort and safety of the community is not negotiable. Additionally, we are currently contacting the Lethbridge Police Service to discuss this issue and how we can be of assistance to them.
Our hope is that Pride events in Lethbridge will remain safe for all attendees, organizers, and personnel.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact one our administrators via email or the Centre’s Facebook page.
The PRIDE Centre strives to maintain our status as a safe space for all queer individuals in our university community and to foster supportive relationships among members and the various local organizations. We understand the objections that individuals have to police presence at queer activism events; members of the administrative team have varying personal opinions and we are committed to finding solutions that work for everyone. We feel that it is important to recognize that there are a large number of individuals within our community that do not feel safe because of the presence of police and security services.
After much discussion, the administrative team has concluded that while the Lethbridge and global queer communities have had and continue to have struggles with law enforcement, the presence of the Lethbridge Police Service is vital to the security of these events. It is important to recognize that queer-specific violence is a real threat and that police services help maintain the security of Pride events. As ordinary citizens, members of our community do not have sufficient ability to manage dangerous situations.
The PRIDE Centre also hopes that the presence of the Lethbridge Police Service in the festivities communicates to the Lethbridge population that violence or other hateful acts towards queer individuals in this area will not be tolerated. However, we urge the Lethbridge Police Service to improve how their officers interact with queer individuals in this area, as the comfort and safety of the community is not negotiable. Additionally, we are currently contacting the Lethbridge Police Service to discuss this issue and how we can be of assistance to them.
Our hope is that Pride events in Lethbridge will remain safe for all attendees, organizers, and personnel.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact one our administrators via email or the Centre’s Facebook page.
