Dear Belfast Pride,

We are writing to you as members of the community in regards to the planned event "Pride Talks Back" that is due to be held on July 18th.

We are deeply concerned that Belfast Pride has chosen to platform the PSNI at this event.

Given that the PSNI officially withdrew their participation in Belfast Pride in 2023, and hleadership within the PSNI has refused to reverse this decision, we are calling on Belfast Pride to cancel this event.

It is evident that there has been little to no thought given to the impact this event may have on the local LGBTQ+ community, and the optics of said event given the deteriorating relationship with the police and the local community.

The PSNI has a long history of problematic behaviour towards members of our trans community, people of colour, migrants, and women. Their behaviour during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, their ongoing facilitation of racist demonstrations, their inability to tackle paramilitarism, and their lack of respect for our community at large is enough for us to question why this event is being held in the first place.

We are deeply offended by the suggestion that "Love In Every Colour includes PSNI green". Despite varying views on police participation at Pride events, this is a deeply ignorant and callous statement to make. Pride is a protest, a universal truth that underscored the community's response to Northern Ireland Executive Parties' participation in Pride in 2025 following their implementation of a ban on puberty blockers for trans* youth.

The PSNI enforce that ban, by virtue of it being the law. Why Belfast Pride are platforming an organisation that upholds homophobic and transphobic legislation is an insult to the years of actisivm and struggles that we have faced.

We once again urge you to cancel this event.

Signed yours,

The community