Pride St. Louis has decided uniformed police have no place in this year's Pride parade. While they welcome officers to put themselves in harm's way to keep the celebration and festivities safe for all, LGBTQ+ police have been told that for the first time in 40 years, their uniforms are not welcomed.

The spirit of Pride is inclusivity. To exclude those who are fighting to break down barriers and improve police-community relationships at a time when we need it most, especially in places like St. Louis, is wrong. Pride STL must act now to reverse this decision before it overshadows the powerful remembrance of Stonewall and the long overdue celebration of the transgender community.

I served proudly in the U.S. Army as an MP (military police). I know what it means to put on a uniform and have to work twice as hard as everyone else to prove your worth just because of who you love. I know what it means to work from the inside to help your colleagues understand what it means to live as an LGBTQ+ person. And I know that being true to myself while wearing that uniform built bridges and paved the way in helping people become allies in our fight for equality.

I know the decision was made with good intentions, but it doesn't make it right. There is no doubt there is still work to be done, especially in how transgender and LGBTQ+ people of color are treated. But the answer is not pushing away the very people who are helping to do that.

Let us embrace those in uniform doing the hard work from the inside of police departments across Missouri and the country. If the future we hope to see is one where police and LGBTQ+ work side by side to stop hate, shouldn't that be what we see marching in our parade?

Please sign this petition calling for Pride STL to reverse their decision on not allowing uniformed police to march.