Pride and police: Two Rockford events, two different takes on whether police belong

Two Rockford events celebrating Pride Month are taking opposing positions when it comes to the participation of Rockford police.

The Office Nite Club's Pride Alley Party will for a second year welcome the Rockford Police Department, seeing it as a step in the right direction and as a sign that long-standing divide between law enforcement and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities can be bridged.

But the Rockford Area Pride Committee that's planning a June 1 parade in downtown Rockford says a move like that once again betrays the origins of the Pride movement, which is steeped in New York City's June 1969 Stonewall riots sparked by "police harassment and intimidation."

In a four-page statement and policy on police presence at the parade, the committee states that until more work is done to repair the fractured relationship between police and LGBTQ and minority communities, the inclusion of law enforcement in Pride events is a bridge too far.

"Policing, as it exists today, does not make BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals feel safer," the statement and policy says. "Many in the community are threatened by the police, and justifiably so."

The policy calls for "constructive and effective dialogue with BIPOC and LGBTQIA+" leaders, studies of people with discomfort and apprehension of policing to find ways to improve, and "training in regards to trans, non-binary, and gender-nonconforming cultural competency," among a list of seven action items.

No police in Pride Parade

The Rockford Area Pride Committee is organizing what they consider to be Rockford's first formal Pride Parade.

It has 52 participants scheduled to take part in the parade which steps off at 11 a.m. June 1 at State and Charles streets, heads west to Main Street and north to Beattie Park. Lineup along 7th Street starts at 10 a.m.

Although the route will be protected by uniformed Rockford Police Department officers and marked police vehicles, the committee has adopted a policy of not allowing police to participate in the event itself.

Individual officers are welcome, "without badges, firearms, weapons (lethal or non-lethal), or any other identifying gear or equipment present," the policy states.

One day it may be appropriate for police recruit at Pride events, but Phyllis Gallisath, founder and executive director of the local advocacy group the LIAM Foundation said that day has not yet come.

"There's better ways to engage the community than showing up at a pride event and handing out rainbow bracelets and inviting people to apply for the police department," Gallisath said. "They should be focusing their efforts on addressing the issues that minorities and underserved communities are facing in Rockford."

Police to recruit again at Pride party

Gallisath and the LIAM Foundation led a boycott of last year's Alley Party over the presence of police.

It was a small, but vocal protest, and an important one to Gallisath.

Office Nite Club co-owner Brian Finn said he was surprised by the reaction.

"We have felt nothing but acceptance and understanding from the city and excitement from them that we're doing this," Finn said. "So I was kind of taken aback when it all happened. But like I said, people have different points of view ... It's just not how I felt, and we were the ones having the party. I thought that's another great step forward. It wasn't taken that way by some."

Finn and his ownership group pioneered the Pride Alley Party in 2019 at a time when there were few, if any, other celebrations marking the start of Pride Month in Rockford.

It has since outgrown the alley and now occupies two large parking lots on a city block around East State and North Third streets downtown. Starting at 1 p.m. June 1 the event will feature live music, drinks, food trucks, entertainment and nearly 100 vendors. Entry is free.

Finn wasn't sure that police would be allowed to return this year. But when those who had objected to their presence last year chose not to participate in 2024, there was vendor space available and the police wanted it.

Presence is a signal

Rockford Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Marcomb said participating in pride events is meant to foster inclusivity and trust.

"We hope that our presence at the Pride Alley Party not only encourages LGBTQ+ individuals to consider a law enforcement career at the Rockford Police Department but also signals a broader commitment to building bridges between law enforcement and marginalized communities, ultimately enhancing community relations and promoting a more inclusive and equitable city," Marcomb said.

Pride Committee Member Kelly Kulak is a straight woman who supports her friends in the LGBTQ communities.

Although she doesn't think police should be part of pride events given their problematic history, she said the events themselves are a blast and wouldn't want to miss out on the fun because of differing views.

"As a straight person, I almost feel like I have to take the back seat," Kulak said. "The Office, who throws the party, is, you know, owned by out and proud individuals. It's supported by that community, and if they are OK with the police being there, then that's on them. It's their event. ... I don't think that it's going to make me not go."

Jeff Kolkey can be reached at  (815) 987-1374, via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X@jeffkolkey.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Rockford Pride Parade organizers: Work needed before inviting police