Analysis of “Yes” Responses to Uniformed Police Marching in Pride: Perspectives From LGBTQ+ Communities in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

• Published in: SAGE Open
• Main Authors: Sulaimon Giwa, Roddrick A. Colvin, Karun K. Karki, Delores V. Mullings, Leslie Bagg
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2021
• Subjects: scipo; art; Canada; Newfoundland
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211023140; https://doaj.org/article/0b147d365cdf4cb0864bc818b7b7eb5e

Recently, a number of Canadian police forces have been banned from Pride parades. A ban on uniformed police in these parades has proven to be contentious; the general public and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and plus (LGBTQ+) communities have been split on the issue. Limited research has examined the perspectives of the general population or, until now, LGBTQ+ people on this matter. Using an online survey designed to gather ideas or opinions of LGBTQ+ community members regarding their hopes, aspirations, and vision for the St. John’s Pride board, 181 LGBTQ+ respondents responded to this question: Should the police be allowed to march in uniform at the St. John’s Pride parade? In total, 92 (51%) said “Yes.” A critical analysis of their qualitative responses revealed four interrelated themes: (a) power of Pride, (b) “they are we and we are they,” (c) “the police are on our side,” and (d) taking back Pride. Implications of the findings for police-LGBTQ+ community relations are discussed.