“We can do that by showcasing our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in our police, fire and sheriff’s departments. “All San Franciscans share a compelling interest in solving our public safety staffing crisis in ways that attract the most diverse and qualified pool of candidates we can,” Dorsey said. While the San Francisco Fire Department is not banned from marching in uniform, the press release states firefighters will not be marching in solidarity with the Pride Alliance. These officers have saved lives, made the city safer, and helped establish that in San Francisco, a member of the LGBTQ+ peace officer could serve the city in uniform with pride.” This decision ignored the history and accomplishments of LGBTQ+ peace officers, who made the SFPD and the SFSO more inclusive through their bravery and visibility. “This is its own form of prejudice and further erodes the tenuous relationship between peace officers and the communities we keep safe. “The board decided to punish LGBTQ+ peace officers for the failings of others,” the press release states. The statement reads that while they recognized historic tensions between the LGBTQ community and law enforcement - tensions that led to the Stonewall riots in 1969 and the earlier Compton’s Cafeteria riot in San Francisco in 1966 - “that is the reason many of us took this job.” In a May 23 press release, they state “The San Francisco Pride Committee has asked the LGBTQ+ peace officers to go back in the closet.” The San Francisco Police Officer’s Pride Alliance - which represents LGBTQ officers in the San Francisco Police Department - issued a joint statement with LGBTQ sheriff’s deputies and firefighters blasting the ban on their marching in uniform. Many major city pride parades adopted similar policies around that time. The San Francisco Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Celebration Committee banned officers from marching in uniform in summer 2020 though that ban only covered the 2021 parade, which did not occur due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) – LGBTQ police and sheriff’s deputies are asking the San Francisco Pride parade to change its new policy that prohibits them from marching in the parade in uniform.