CHRISTOPHER STREET WEST / LA PRIDE RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS OF DISCRIMINATION BY THE
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS |
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Christopher Street West, now in its 41st year, and its cornerstone LA PRIDE Parade, are global beacons of acceptance and celebration and were created specifically because of the discriminatory, damaging and hurtful actions like denying Officer Andrew Johnson the opportunity to be in a parade. LA PRIDE offers a safe space for the LGBT community and our allies to come together and celebrate our authentic selves.
"Officer Johnson is courageously risking his future by asking to participate in a parade with his fellow peace officers," said Rodney Scott, Christopher Street West Board President. "Like our 2011 Community Grand Marshal, LGBT Servicemembers who are still not allowed to serve openly in the U.S. Armed Forces, Officer Johnson was told that being in the parade in unform would bring discredit to the department."
Just days after Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made history by declaring June "LGBT Heritage Month," when Don't Ask Don't Tell is in the process of being eliminated, and when marriage equality will be realized in our lifetimes, it is unconscionable that Officer Johnson was denied the simple opportunity to be in a parade, openly in his uniform, like so many thousands of other LGBT officers. Since 1993, openly gay and lesbian peace officers from from Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Police Department, California Highway Patrol and the FBI have enthusiastically participated in the LA PRIDE Parade. In 2007, for the first time, the Peace Officer's Contingent was jointly led by LA County Sheriff Lee Baca and former LAPD Chief Bill Bratton.
While an investigation into the actions of the California Department of Corrections has been requested by attorney Gloria Allred, we eagerly invite Officer Johnson and all members of the Gay Peace Officers Association to join us this Sunday, June 12, among 400,000 other revelers and millions more viewing online. All are welcome.
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June, 2007 - LA County Sheriff Lee Baca and LA Police Department Chief Bill Bratton
lead the Peace Officer's Contingent in the LA PRIDE Parade |
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