SC Pride Invites Community Conversation About LGBTQ+ People and Law Enforcement

We as the Santa Cruz Pride Board appreciate the input from many people through many channels about our decision to not allow uniformed law enforcement contingents in our Pride Parade this year. We spent considerable time discussing this topic before coming to this decision. We appreciated including the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department as part of our Pride Festival in 2024.  

The letters and comments we have received have been respectful and we embrace the free expression of opinions.

One writer referenced the Stonewall Riots, which Pride celebrations commemorate:  “The statement ‘The first Pride was a riot’ references the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a pivotal event in the LGBTQ+ rights movement where the community stood up against police harassment and brutality. However, it is crucial to remember that this movement aimed to end discrimination and build bridges, not erect new barriers.”  

Another writer shared, “ Right now, we need community, health and wellness so much more over policing and incarceration. Thanks again!”

One writer sent us this quote: “Love isn't about what we did yesterday; it's about what we do today and tomorrow and the day after”  ~Grace Lee Boggs

We who are part of the Santa Cruz Pride Board deeply love the volunteer work we do to put on the annual Pride events and our involvement in other events throughout the year (No one in our organization is paid for any of this work).  We know that all of those who wrote to us, texted us, wrote letters to the editor, called us on the phone, reached out to their public officials, contacted our sponsors, or commented on social media care deeply about the inclusion or exclusion of law enforcement in the annual Santa Cruz Pride parade. The topic of law enforcement and treatment of the LGBTQ+ community has been festering within Santa Cruz County for many years. Therefore we are choosing to engage with the entire Santa Cruz County community to discuss this topic in the coming months - to surface the hurts and trauma some have experienced both in the LGBTQ+ community and in law enforcement - so that our entire community may hear these concerns, heal, and help determine what our next actions may be. 

Santa Cruz Pride is convening a task force to begin this work. We have reached out to and talked with various law enforcement agencies, LGBTQ+ agencies, and individuals in the county. This task force will include representatives of law enforcement agencies, local organizations and community members.

The purpose of the task force is to determine the best actions to engage the community in a conversation about law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community.

We invite you to be part of this important community conversation so that we as citizens of Santa Cruz County can come together and once again, model to other cities and counties, how complex issues may be addressed. 

We continue to welcome your thoughts and comments at info@SantaCruzPride.org.