The Metropolitan Police has said its officers will not be marching in uniform at Pride in London after LGBTQ+ campaigners raised concerns about “institutional homophobia” in the police force.
Scotland Yard said on Friday that officers who wanted to join the celebrations should do so in civilian clothes and not in police uniform, after listening to the “legitimate concerns” of activists.
Uniforms will still guard the annual parade, which celebrates its 50th anniversary on Saturday with performances by American singer-songwriter Ava Max and British star Emeli Sande.
The decision comes after human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell raised concerns about the Met’s “homophobic” handling of the inquiry into serial killer Stephen Port. Tatchell said the case showed that “institutional homophobia is alive and kicking in the Metropolitan Police” and that it would not be right for uniformed officers to march in the parade.
Official London Pride organizers later said the police uniform “undermines” the balance between listening to members’ concerns and maximizing hospitality.
A grand jury found in December that fundamental failings in the port’s investigation “probably” contributed to three of the four deaths.
Officers were unable to link the deaths between June 2014 and September 2015, despite the striking similarities and the fact that three of the men were found in St Margaret’s Churchyard, Barking, yards from Port’s home. while the fourth was discovered outside his apartment. The independent police watchdog recently announced it was re-investigating the Met into the case.
Speaking after Scotland Yard’s announcement on Friday, Tatchell said: “This is the right decision given the community’s concerns about police homophobia, racism and misogyny. I hope that other UK Prides will follow suit and secure the consent of the police not to march in uniform.”
Matt Jukes, assistant commissioner of the Met, said: “I understand people’s concerns about the Met’s involvement in the London Pride march. Everyone attending the parade has asked to be a part of Pride as a member of our LGBT+ employee network.
“I know we have to work hard with and for many LGBT+ Londoners to win back their trust. Among my LGBT+ colleagues who participate in Pride, there are people who have their own experiences of exclusion and prejudice. Despite the challenges some have faced individually, they want to be part of building a Met that the whole of London can be proud of.’
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Jukes said Pride was an opportunity for LGBT+ members of the police to feel included in the wider community and that they would represent a network of officers that had “supported and challenged the Met to be more inclusive”.
He added: “I hope they will feel supported at the event at a time when the Met as an organization is committed to listening to and responding to the concerns of LGBT+ individuals and organisations.”
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