Love Philly? So do we. Let’s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today.
City officials are responding to what many deemed as excessive force by law enforcement during Pride celebrations in Philly’s Gayborhood on Sunday.
This week, social media videos have been circulating showing a heavily concentrated number of officers and barricades at the party.
“The Philadelphia Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs is aware of reports concerning interactions between law enforcement and members of the LGBTQ+ community in and around the Gayborhood during Pride Weekend,” officials posted on Instagram. “Our office is actively engaging with relevant stakeholders and gathering information regarding these incidents.”
Police have reported 15 arrests, mostly for disorderly conduct, and one for aggravated assault on an officer, during the event, per 6abc Philadelphia.
The Philly Pride march and festival took over the Parkway for the first time in history Sunday. The event, helmed by Philly Pride 365 and the Urban Affairs Coalition, cost $10 a ticket to attend. Gayborhood celebrations, however, were free. And after the march and festival on the Parkway, many turned out to the secondary location.
“We got there at like 12 o’clock, and by that point you could see the lines and lines and lines of police officers on every street,” one TikToker posted. “It was easier to move around earlier but as the hours progressed… they’re blocking off more and more and more stuff. And it was very clear they didn’t know how to handle this.”
Around 7:40 p.m. Tuesday, Mayor Cherelle Parker posted a statement on social media addressing Sunday’s incidents.
“I know that members of our LGBTQ+ community are hurting, frustrated, and looking for answers nowfollowing events that occurred after Pride celebrations concluded on Sunday. I want everyone to know that I hear you, I see you, and my Administration is taking your concerns seriously,” Parker wrote.
“In the days ahead, we will meet with community leaders as part of that effort,” she said. “I am unwavering in my commitment that Philadelphia will and must always be a city where people feel safe gathering, celebrating, and expressing themselves, while ensuring that concerns are heard, questions are answered, and accountability remains at the forefront of our actions.”
WHYY’s Tom MacDonald spoke with Philadelphia Police Department commissioner Kevin J. Bethel Tuesday morning. Bethel said that the scale of the event was part of the issue.
“There were a number of individuals who wanted to return to the Gayborhood and have a second event,” he said. “We ultimately, as I shared in my previous statement, had two large-scale events happening at the same time, and it takes a lot of planning and preparation to do that in an effective way.”
Jacen Bowman, president of Philly Black Pride, told Philadelphia Gay News that the presence of law enforcement at the scene was far too excessive.
“You would have thought it was some type of riot or some type of murder that happened,” he said, describing large teams of SWAT responders, horse-mounted officers and police on bikes. In addition, Bowman said that he witnessed police misgender community members, push a trans girl into a gate and disrespect a wheelchair user.
“I stand by making sure that police protect and serve,” he said, “but to aggravate, agitate, disrespect, disregard, and cause problems when people aren’t doing nothing but trying to enjoy Pride — no, I have a problem with that.”
Councilmember Rue Landau posted a statement on Instagram noting that anyone who has an incident or story they would like to bring to her attention, can share at cmlandau@phila.gov.
“Many LGBTQ+ community members have reached out to my office with outrage, and I have contacted the PPD and other City departments to understand what happened and get clarity on the PPD’s strategy,” she wrote. “Police brutality has no place at Pride.”
Monday night, a couple hundred people gathered and marched through Philly’s Gayborhood — crying out for a response from the city.
“For many Black LGBTQ+ people, interactions with law enforcement carry a different historical and lived experience,” Philly Black Pride wrote to Billy Penn in a statement. “When people come to Pride, they’re coming to celebrate who they are, be in community, and experience joy. When the atmosphere shifts and begins to feel overly policed, aggressive, or confrontational, it can quickly change the experience from one of celebration to one of anxiety.”
Bethel said he wanted to be clear that despite backlash, Philadelphia law enforcement is here to support Philly’s queer community.
“Let me be rest assured,” Bethel said. “I mean to anyone who believes that the police department has any issues with our LGBTQ+ community are totally wrong… That is not us.”
“We just recognize that we have to go back now and review the actions that were taken and make some decisions as we move forward. But you know, that’s what we do,” he added. “We care about all of the individuals in our community, and the LGBTQ+ community is very much a part of that.”
The Philadelphia Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs had a similar response to the backlash.
“We recognize concerns these reports have generated within the community and are committed to ensuring that those concerns are taken seriously.”
Philly Black Pride noted that while they appreciate the acknowledgement, more still needs to be done.
“Statements matter, but trust is built through action, accountability, and meaningful engagement with the people most impacted,” the organization wrote.
“Philadelphia has an opportunity to learn from this moment, and I hope we do,” they added. “Not because we’re looking to place blame, but because we want future Pride celebrations to be safer, stronger, and more welcoming for everyone.”
