Queer Lib Caucus Presents: WTF Happened to Philly Pride?! Part Two!
On May 31, 2021, Memorial Day weekend, PPP made a Facebook Post for Memorial Day using a “Thin Blue Line” style American Flag with a rainbow stripe, enraging many members of the LGBTQ community, as that flag is a symbol of Blue Lives Matter, police solidarity and white supremacy. Then, on June 10th, PPP made a Facebook Post “honoring Stonewall,” reading:
“The Stonewall Riots were exactly that. Those dressed as women that night refused to go with the officers. The police were going to transport the bar’s alcohol in patrol wagons, but the patrol wagons had not yet arrived, so patrons were required to wait in line for about 15 minutes. The violence escalated until the police were outnumbered by between 500 and 600 demonstrators. Pennies were throw(n) at the police, then bricks. Ten police officers - including two policewomen - barricaded themselves, and several handcuffed detainees inside the Stonewall Inn for their safety. A parking meter was uprooted and used by the crowd as a battering ram. The riots and pandemonium lasted 5 days, the crowds increasing every day.”
This statement centered the police as the victims, used transphobic language, and provided no context of police abuse against queer communities. LGBTQ folks, black and brown trans folks especially, face more violence and intimidation from the police. In 2015, the US Transgender survey found 58% of respondents had experienced verbal or physical assault by police.
After an intense internet backlash, within hours from the post, PPP started the dirty deletes and scrubbed the post as well as mentions of Pride events. Then, on June 17th, they posted a non-apology:
“Philly Pride Presents apologizes for the recent Facebook postings. Although no offense was intended, offense was taken and we are sorry. As a consequence, our senior advisor responsible for the postings, has resigned from the board. The executive director, Fran Price, did not post or approve these comments and requested that they be removed when she read thm. We are deeply sorry that these posts unintentionally offended and hurt the LGBTQ+ black, brown and trans community. Moving forward, we will ensure that the content of our posts will be representative of the community. Again, we deeply apologize.”
After another intense backlash, again within hours, they “dirty deleted” their whole Facebook page, removed large portions of their website from public view, and by Monday, their phone line was disconnected. The Inquirer($) put together a report, last updated on June 22.