Des Moines welcomes police to participate in Pride parade

Driving the news: San Francisco police are banned from wearing their uniforms while marching in the Pride parade later this month but are allowed to wear matching T-shirts. In response, the San Francisco Police Officers Pride Alliance announced they won't participate.

• In Minneapolis, an LGBTQ advocacy group won't participate in the Twin Cities Pride festival this year due to the presence of police officers, which are required by local ordinances for safety.
• Seattle police, meanwhile, are being asked to stay off festival grounds this year.

The big picture: Tensions have been building for a few years with places like New York City, and Albuquerque, New Mexico, limiting police participation in Pride events.

Yes, but: Denver police are also being welcomed back for this year's PrideFest parade, after being banned in 2021.

• Officers and first responders will form a "marching contingent" for the parade.

Zoom in: The Des Moines Police Department has been a longtime partner of Capital City Pride, Gifford said.

• Sgt. Paul Parizek told Axios Des Moines officers have not formally participated in the parade in previous years but some department employees have on their own behalf.
• It's uncertain whether any officers will participate this year but the department will be on hand to help patrol at the event, Parizek said.

Details: Pride events are planned across Des Moines for the next 30 days, with the big Pride Fest celebrations running June 10-12.

• This year's parade returns from a two-year pandemic hiatus on June 12. It kicks off at noon at the Capitol.