(One of the protesters, Taryn Saldivar, alleging violations of their constitutional rights, battery, and false arrest and imprisonment, later sued the City of San Francisco and the police department, receiving a settlement of $190,000 in September 2021.)
The reasoning behind SF Pride's decision, according to its leaders, was that the organization was "disappointed and frustrated" following a 2019 incident when police used force against anti-police and anti-corporate protesters who blocked the parade route for almost an hour. But the parade was canceled last year due to the COVID pandemic, meaning that the parade's return this year is the first time the policy is being tested. It's important to note that this was not a new policy - we reported in the fall of 2020 that SF Pride had decided that uniformed San Francisco Police Department personnel would not be allowed to march in uniform in 2021. (The Transgender District sent representatives after it became aware that a deal had been reached.) According to our reporting, the agreement was reached shortly before Mayor London Breed's ceremonial Pride flag-raising ceremony June 2, giving her some good news to announce after leadership of the city's LGBTQ cultural districts all said they would skip the event because Breed had stated she would not march in the parade if police were not allowed to march in uniform. At a time when so much of the country is polarized it was heartening to see the two sides come together, apparently largely with the help of gay small business owner Manny Yekutiel, who met with SF Pride leaders and SF Pride Alliance members at his eponymous cafe in the Mission district. Ford is a transgender woman who previously served as SF Pride’s Treasurer, and her appointment means that SF Pride will be led by women on both the board and staff levels for the first time in many years.We're glad that San Francisco Pride officials and the San Francisco Police Officers Pride Alliance reached a compromise that will allow LGBTQ peace officers and other first responders to proudly march in the June 26 parade, albeit with only the leaders and command staff in uniform. Ahead of the 2022 celebrations, Suzanne Ford has taken over as interim SF Pride Executive Director in place of Fred Lopez, who headed the board in 20. The event also comes amid some leadership changes for the organization. Uniformed officers will still be present in any case as part of the event’s security. “We acknowledge and appreciate the steps that have been taken to heal decades of distrust between law enforcement agencies and the LGBTQ+ communities.” As a result of the ban, Mayor London Breed and openly gay District Six Supervisor Matt Dorsey have said they will also boycott the parade. “SF Pride requested that those participating from law enforcement agencies do so out of uniform and in an alternative attire that still represents their organization,” wrote SF Pride on their website.
The SF Pride parade usually includes a contingent of SF police officers, but the group has been banned for their refusal to appear out of uniform. The 4th annual SF Pride Golf Tournament is also in the works, with details to come. The parade/march will take place on Sunday, June 26 in downtown SF beginning at 10:30am.Įxhibitors and parade contingents can now register for the 2-day celebration, and the event is recruiting volunteers to help out. The Pride celebration and rally will happen on Saturday from 12-6pm and Sunday from 11am-6pm, with home base at Civic Center Plaza. San Francisco Pride has announced its in-person return for 2022, with the theme “Love Will Keep Us Together.” Be sure to mark your calendar for June 25 and 26, as this is sure to be an epic comeback.