Gay Correctional Officer to March in Uniform at Pride After State Officials Rescind Decision

Andrew Johnson, a gay 28-year-old corrections officer who was denied the right to march in uniform in the Christopher Street West Hollywood Gay & Lesbian Pride Parade, will be walking on Sunday after all.

Hours after Johnson's attorney, Gloria Allred, announced an employment discrimination lawsuit against the state of California on Tuesday, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reversed its original decision, which had determined that wearing a uniform in celebration was comparable to demonstrating or picketing and would discredit the department.

“CDCR did not intend to offend any segment of the population with its recent refusal to allow a correctional officer from participating in a Gay Pride Parade while wearing the department’s official uniform," the department said in a statement released Tuesday. "The decision was made solely on an interpretation of an admittedly ambiguous section of the Department Operation Manual (DOM) as it relates to unauthorized use of the CDCR uniform."

The Greater Los Angeles peace officers contingent, which includes both straight and LGBT members of West Hollywood Sheriff's Station, as well as California Highway Patrol and the FBI, marches every year in the city’s CSW Parade. 

"Officer Johnson is courageously risking his future by asking to participate in a parade with his fellow peace officers," Rodney Scott, Christopher Street West Board president, said in a CSW press release. "Like our 2011 community grand marshal, LGBT service members, who are still not allowed to serve openly in the U.S. Armed Forces, Officer Johnson was told that being in the parade in unform would bring discredit to the department." 

In a statement issued by Allred’s office, the attorney said the reversal was important to all who support equal rights and dignity for Californians. 

“We are very happy that the California Department of Corrections has decided to allow my client, Correctional Officer Andrew Johnson, to march in uniform," she said. “On behalf of Officer Johnson, I accept CDCR’s apology to him and we look forward to seeing him march proudly in uniform in the parade this Sunday.”