May 20, 2017
John Tory
Mayor, City of Toronto
Mark Saunders
Chief of Police, Toronto Police Services
Dear Mayor Tory and Chief Saunders,
I have been involved with the LGBTQ2 community in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa, on the Board for the Ontario Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and Toronto Pflag, President of the federal political organization, Liberal Pride, Communications Manager for the national LBGTQ2 advocacy organization Egale Canada Human Rights Trust and worked as an assistant to the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Bill Graham, as well for Hon. Dr. Hedy Fry and Hon. Dr. Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous Affairs.
In July 2016, Pride Toronto’s honorary group, Black Lives Matter held a sit in, halting the parade for more than a half hour. I was behind Black Lives Matter, proudly marching with the Prime Minister, a first for a Canadian Pride parade.
Most in the parade were unaware of why it had stopped, but in addition to the personal challenges many experienced, being dehydrated in the hot sun without water, unable to leave the parade confines, and being subjected to smoke bombs set off unlawfully and against Pride’s rules, there was widespread concern for those in attendance, including the Prime Minister and other politicians whose SAFETY, many worried, had been targeted. This was all perpetrated and enacted by Pride's honourary group, Black Lives Matter.
But historically, before Pride became a festival, it was a protest against the illegal oppression of the LGBTQ community by Police and the broader community. In the ensuing years, our community has fought to define our place in society, including changing uninformed attitudes. Our work over the past 45 years has brought about dramatic changes that have redefined our relationship with the Police.
As such, it was difficult to quickly reconcile support or opposition to the situation. I believe that all forms of oppression, particularly systemic oppression, must be addressed and rectified. Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate, the Ontario Independent Police Review Director and the Federal Government’s LGBTQ2 Secretariat are examples of governing bodies that help address important issues, and which I know all agree that black lives, they really DO matter.
The ensuing debate that ignited remains fierce to this day. While I don’t agree with Black Lives Matter’s tactics, I do feel it is important to listen, learn and try to understand their views. But Pride has not done the same. Olivia Nuamah, Pride's Executive Director, recently stated, "I also need to acknowledge that Pride Toronto has not been present enough in the conversation as it has unfolded. We’ve been missing an opportunity to let you know that we’re listening, to engage, and to share our experiences."
Most people knew of their demand to ban police floats and uniforms from the parade, but I think I speak for many when I say we trusted Pride to make the right decision, guided firmly by the principle that inclusion cannot and should not be born through exclusion and divisiveness.
But on January 17, 2017, things took a turn for the worst. LGBTQ2 communities across Canada were strategically under attack by an approaching divisive organization in Toronto.
Pride Toronto’s AGM vote was disingenuously hijacked, using sneaky political tactics, exploiting vulnerabilities and loopholes in non-profit legislation, and using vote-buying and stacking mechanisms, all used to ram through a single-minded, veiled agenda that wasn't even scheduled for a vote.
As news spread of the manipulated vote that banned police floats and uniforms, I spoke up, reminded that decisions on important matters such as this MUST aim to bring us together and move us towards love.
I recognize that I am not a visible Person of Colour, and as such, I may not have experienced the world through their eyes. But I DO know right from wrong when faced with intentional exclusion, and I am confident that you know it too. Instinctively, our hearts and minds guide us to reject exclusion.
So, while I believe wholeheartedly that 8 of Black Lives Matter’s demands have strong importance, the 9th point is misplaced within our community.
LGBTQ2 law enforcement and their colleagues risk their lives for their job, the community and for our City. Their uniform and profession are part of their identity, would you want it any other way for people whose job it is to protect us?
Allowing LGBTQ2 officers to celebrate their contribution to the LGBTQ2 community and to our city while wearing their uniforms with pride symbolizes the work that made their participation possible in the first place. It challenges their OWN institutional oppression, reminding us that LGBTQ2 people are everywhere.
Just this month in Newfoundland, St. John’s Pride announced a reversal on their decision to ban police in uniforms from their parade. From their Board, I quote, “After careful deliberation, the board has decided that progress for Pride includes the continuation of the relationship between the local police and St. John’s Pride,” the group wrote. “The parade is to be open for all to express their identity in whatever means they deem representative. This includes the possibility that uniforms, in any capacity, represent an identity important to an individual.”
And Northern Ontario Pride, being held for the first time as a regional event in Elliot Lake the last week of May, have welcomed the police to march in uniform at the Parade. The First Nations partners have no objections. Similarly, the City of York is now welcoming Police to march in uniform as well. So, we know it is possible, but it takes the will.
I am Metis, yet many have viciously lashed out calling my sentiments “whitesplaining,” one of many words part of the lexicon among activists such as Black Lives Matters’ leaders Yusra Khogali and Janaya Khan which are designed to get people to shut up about critical issues. But if you continuously vilify people, and your message doesn’t clearly separate actual racists from allies, how can a movement gain understanding and grow so the system changes for the better?
How can one reconcile racial, sexual or gender difference using divisive, prejudicial language to describe an entire group of people when part of the fight is to stop people from doing that very thing?
Calling the Prime Minister a White Supremacist and a Terrorist by co-founders known to speak alienating and racially-motived hate speech, though misguided and hurtful for the LGBTQ2 community, are part of the organization’s pattern that divide and pushes us apart
Among Black Lives Matter’s demands include their self-declaration as advocates of Indigenous sovereignty. I am troubled by their use of the in-depth community consultations derived from Pride Toronto’s Community Action Panel report, or CAP as it is known when, to the best of my knowledge, they did not mention the report once at the parade or since then.
Nor has Pride engaged in any of CAP’s Dispute Resolution processes, and no Indigenous organizations have stated they support Black Lives Matter. This does not serve the greater good which is SUPPOSED to be justice and equality for everyone.
After decades of relationship-building between the police and the community, I initially supported defunding of Pride Toronto, feeling the organization should not receive money if they do not encompass inclusion as is their purpose. Pride’s decisions should not be made solely in the interests of a members-only club.
I am saddened that the Toronto Police Association has HAD to ask the City to support its employees who protect and serve. It is a mistake for Pride Toronto to vote in favour of their divisive tactics, but we all make mistakes. The City and Police are no exception.
Police institutions have an obligation to engage in a thorough and sincere Truth and Reconciliation process beyond Chief Saunders' apology, to fully address the unacceptable targeting and violence against LGBTQ2 individuals and People of Colour. Anything less than a full commitment to undertake this important reconciliation is inadequate.
Looking ahead, it is incumbent upon us all to come together to find a better and uniting solution. As such, I urge us all to look at the structure and sentiments of an even larger festival, Sydney’s Mardi Gras Parade, which has managed to make space for everyone.
The parade starts by acknowledging and honouring social justice issues including Indigenous communities whose land the festival is shared with, then a contingent of mature community members who fought for equality over years earlier, and then floats and participants that recognize current challenges, including community leaders, organizations and politicians. Lastly, a wonderful nighttime celebration of who we are, our achievements and love are united under the year’s theme.
In closing, I trust you will celebrate all the positive achievements that Pride and the City have worked so hard for, together, over the years. Despite the bumps in the road, and the many voices, we have proven that growth and positivity can only be achieved by encouraging discussion of sensitive topics, making difficult changes, and sticking to principles that have served us well, uniting us all in the inclusive, dynamic and colourful celebration that we know and love.
Thank you for your time and support.
Regards,
Bryn Hendricks
