Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) officers and staff will not be permitted to wear uniforms at this year’s Belfast Pride parade, a senior officer has confirmed.
The decision – which comes six years after PSNI and Garda colleagues marched in uniform together for the first time at the event – has been described as “deeply misguided” by a Belfast City councillor amid warnings it will “damage” LGBT+ confidence in policing.
, PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Bobby Singleton acknowledged the move would be “disappointing for some”.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the Belfast parade which will take place on Saturday, July 29th, as the centrepiece of the 10-day festival.
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Uniformed gardaí marched in the Dublin Pride parade for the first time in 2019, with the Garda Representative Association last year saying how “privileged” it felt taking part in the “very public display of solidarity and inclusion”.
Last month, gardaí also joined the Dublin event, driving cars bearing the Pride flag and rainbow colours.
The SDLP’s Séamas de Faoite, who describes himself as one of Belfast City Council’s “few openly gay councillors”, expressed “significant concerns” about the PSNI decision.
“I think this will undoubtedly have an effect in terms of damaging the LGBT community’s confidence in policing,” Mr de Faoite.
The PSNI’s LGBT+ staff support network said it was “bitterly disappointed”.
“Participating in Pride has been incredibly empowering for LGBT+ officers and staff,” a statement said.
Traditional Unionist Voice councillor Timothy Gaston welcomed the development, saying the PSNI had “no business” taking part in the parade.
