- The statement that is a result of collaborative discussion by all three major Calgary organizations:  VOICES, Calgary Pride and Calgary Police Services (CPS).   In that meeting, CPS was in fact represented by Chief Roger Chaffin and Deputy Chief Sat Parhar themselves.

- Some media outlets out there are putting the headline that Calgary Pride banned CPS from participating, which is false.  In that meeting, both Calgary Pride and VOICES did not need to ban CPS from participating at all because they were willing to participate in any form necessary to show their support to the most oppressed and racialized members of the Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ community.  VOICES will continuously advocate that clear policies with consequences and accountability for law enforcement agencies in order to truly feel that correct steps are being taken into account.  What we have here is a symbolic step which does not eliminate police violence and misconduct, but rather opens up a discussion and first steps towards creating a community that is safe for all and the one that truly honours the history of what Pride marches are meant to be.

- To those who still cannot understand this collaborative decision, why is it so hard for you to listen as to what the ‘smaller few’ of the Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ have to say?  If CPS can exhibit this support now, why can’t you?  Isn’t this the same argument some extreme conservatives out there use against us, like – why should we have GSAs in schools just because a few students want to gather in a safe space and have a voice?  Why did we legalise same-sex marriage for those few people who wants to have the same legal rights as other couples?  For those of you who have different levels of privileges within our community, it is now your turn to show support to the ‘smaller few’ amongst you.  To show that you yourselves know how to listen and act in solidarity to those that face other challenges and other forms of oppression.