Toronto’s Pride Parade has lifted a ban on uniformed police officers participating in the colourful annual event, saying the force was welcome to apply to be a part of next summer’s festivities. “This decision is made in acknowledgment that Pride Toronto can only thrive through commitment to a diversity of efforts,” the organization said in an open letter to the LGBTQ community. Pride organizers agreed for the next two years, excluding uniformed officers on-duty from marching in the parade. For this summer’s parade, organizers also cited ongoing anger about perceived police inaction on a slate of disappearances from Toronto’s gay village as a reason police could not participate. Pride Toronto acknowledged that Tuesday’s decision to invite police back to the festivities would be controversial.

Source: National Post October 16, 2018 13:29 UTC