East Midlands Ambulance Service releases statement as emergency services pull out from Pride events across the UK
- LM News
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
East Midlands Ambulance Service releases statement as emergency services pull out from Pride events across the UK
Firefighters, police officers, and ambulance service personnel will not be taking part in Pride marches in certain areas of the country
East Midlands Ambulance Service says its staff will be permitted to join Pride marches - amid an ongoing debate which has seen emergency services elsewhere in the country withdraw their support.
Whilst emergency services in these areas are still expected to attend the events to carry out their work duties, uniformed officers will not be permitted to join in on the day's festivities.
The East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) states it "continues to be very supportive" of staff participating in Pride marches.
Tina Richardson, the ambulance service's deputy director of people, said: "EMAS remains very supportive of our staff and volunteers joining Pride events across the East Midlands.
"Attendance at events is usually led by our LGBT+ staff network; however, as with all community event activity, this is subject to appropriate checks, operational resource availability and the ability for staff to attend, on a case-by-case basis."
Historically, emergency services have been present at some of the region's largest LGBTQ+ events, such as Nottinghamshire Pride, which takes place annually on July 25, and Leicester Pride on September 5.
The ambulance service in the West Midlands said taking part in Pride events might suggest that it supported certain views over others which are "contrary to the protected beliefs" of other people.
This has triggered an ongoing debate, with the region's mayor Richard Parker publicly slamming the move and arguing attending Pride events is not a "political act".
The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives has also said the court ruling does not apply to ambulance services.
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