Pride statement sparks debate in LGBTQIA+ community
Not everyone on board with St. John’s Pride asking uniformed police not to attend upcoming events
The paint was still fresh on rainbow-coloured crosswalks when the board of St. John’s Pride sparked a debate within the local LGBTQIA+ community last week.
While the board declined an interview, a statement published to its Facebook page provides some context to their decision to withdraw from an event called “Police and Pride: A Local Dialogue and Panel,” and why they are “officially maintaining” a policy of not supporting uniformed police officers participating in any of their events.
“We’d like to take this opportunity to be completely transparent with you — there were members of our board fighting for both sides,” the statement said. “However, at the end of the day, as a board that exists solely for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, we need to listen to YOU (the emphasis is theirs). You have tirelessly used your voices to tell us what you need to feel heard and to feel safe.”
“I would say probably 70 per cent of the gay community is outraged by (the statement from the St. John’s Pride board). There’s going to be a lot of people who are not going to attend this year.” Josh Nolan
“We need to do better. We have taken a step back and are remembering that the first Pride was not a celebratory event, and that it was a defiant march against oppression, which brings us to our announcement today.”
After hundreds of comments, some in support and others debating the present and historical relationship between police and the local LGBTQIA+ community, the board closed commenting.
To continue the discussion and debate, some started another public group called St. John’s Pride banning Cops public discussion.
‘I JUST FOUND IT VERY HYPOCRITICAL’
One of the more vocal people opposing the board’s decision is Josh Nolan, a gay man who was the PC candidate in the district of Cartwright-l’anse au Clair in the 2021 provincial election. The previous candidate had been Michael Normore, who was dropped from the party when social media posts revealed he was against same-sex marriage and abortion.
Nolan’s familiarity with speaking to media prompted those in the community who are dismayed by Pride’s stance to ask him to speak out.
He is unequivocal in his support for the Royal Newfound Constabulary, but says the St. John’s Pride committee has lost his support.
“They’re going to welcome the police in uniform if they need their assistance, but they’re not welcome in the uniform during the celebrations. I just found it very hypocritical for the committee to say that,” he said.
He’s heard some use the recent conviction of RNC officer Doug Snelgrove for sexually assaulting a 21-yearold woman while on duty as justification.
“I told them that has nothing to do with Pride,” he said. “Honestly, I think they’re just finding excuses because they really have no grounds to say why the police shouldn’t be there.”
Nolan says if there has been an issue of police brutality against the gay community in St. John’s, he’s yet to hear it.
“I’ve done my homework and I’m just not aware of it,” he said. “I’ve been told about back in 1993, there has been some folks that were caught having sex in public and were charged. But if a straight couple got caught, they’d be charged as well. There’s laws, and the gay community has to follow those laws just as well as straight people do.”
Nolan said the Pride board is creating problems that aren’t there in the first place.
“There’s members of the community who are police. … But also, there’s police who have gay children, gay brothers, sisters, whatever it is. And they’re feeling pretty (bad) about it all,” Nolan said.
“It’s really upsetting. I would say probably 70 per cent of the gay community is outraged by (the statement). There’s going to be a lot of people who are not going to attend this year. Absolutely, 100 per cent, I could bet all my money on it.”
RNC RESPECTS DECISION
RNC media relations officer Const. James Cadigan said they respect any decision the board of St. John’s Pride makes.
“We’re happy to take their guidance and their wishes are important to us. That’s how we’ll proceed,” Cadigan said in a telephone interview. “In terms of the uniforms, we’ve participated without uniforms for years now and that’s something that’s really no change for us. … We look forward to providing support however we can.”
The LGBTQIA+ community within the RNC and the RNC’S Pride committee are looking forward to continuing their support and will be hosting their own events throughout the summer, Cadigan said.