Rainbow flag flies over central police station in Hamilton

Chief Eric Girt says the Hamilton Police Service will continue to challenge behaviour that seeks to “marginalize or exclude”.

Girt was joined by members of the Hamilton Police Association and the LGBTQ community on Monday morning, in raising the rainbow flag outside of Hamilton Police Headquarters.

The chief notes that officers responded to 20 hate bias incidents last year that related to sexual orientation. He adds that police are committed to their part to continue building a community where everyone feels “safe” and “included.”

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Rachel Harrison, a high school teacher and member of the LGBTQ community, says the pride flag is an important symbol that creates a “feeling of belonging.”

Harrison adds that she’s seeing progress with “people in the streets holding hands, being public, being proud, being out.”.

Other pride-related events in Hamilton this week include a flag raising at Hamilton City Hall on Friday and a rally at City Hall on Saturday.