Pride update on uniforms: police no, but military yes

Capital Pride says Canadian Forces members are invited to wear their uniforms to its annual festival and parade in Ottawa — unlike the city’s police officers.

“Capital Pride welcomes all members of the Canadian Forces to participate in our events and walk in the parade,” festival organizers said in an official statement issued Friday by spokeswoman Tammy Dopson.

Asked why Canadian military uniforms will be welcomed when Ottawa police uniforms will not, Dopson said: “The crux of our request is with respect to the actions of police and not those of the military.”

Dopson’s comments came in response to a recent announcement by Canada’s top soldier, Gen. Jonathan Vance. In a written directive to Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) said military personnel attending Pride festivities will no longer have to ask permission to wear their uniforms.

“In an effort to promote diversity and inclusion, the CDS encourages all members of the CAF to attend and participate in Pride events in uniform,” Vance wrote. He said uniforms could not be altered for the events.

In the past, soldiers who wanted to march in any Pride event had to ask for special permission to wear their uniforms.

Capital Pride called Vance’s new directive “very good news” since it promises to make it easier for LGBTQ2 military members to attend the festival’s flag-raising, parade and other events, which launch Aug. 21. A spokesman for Montreal Pride also welcomed the military’s uniformed participation in that city’s events.

While CAF uniforms have been welcomed with open arms in Ottawa and Montreal, police uniforms have not received the same embrace.