National Park Service clarifies employees will be allowed to join Pride events in uniform
The National Park Service clarified that it will allow employees to participate in celebratory parades and events, including Pride Month, in uniform.
The National Park Service will allow employees to participate in celebratory parades and events in uniform, a departure from earlier memos to staff members weeks before the start of LGBTQ Pride Month that effectively banned such uniformed employees from marching in public events.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland clarified the policy for Special Emphasis Programs — which includes programming about the LGBTQ community — in a memo to staff members Friday. She did not directly address Pride Month, which begins Saturday.
“I am directing Bureau leaders or their designated officials to determine how and when bureaus should participate in these externally organized events. This could include marching units in parades, booths at parades, events etc. This would allow employees to participate in uniform representing their respective bureau. This direction takes effect immediately,” Haaland wrote in the memo.
She added, “Bureau leaders or designated officials must apply consistent criteria for determining the appropriate nature of participation.”
The park service and the Interior Department shared copies of the memo in response to a request for comment. NPS added that it "is working on implementation guidance for parks."
Rating: 5