Who is Mike Solan? Seattle police union president calls Capitol Hill Pride's ban on cops 'bigoted, disgusting'
Mike Solan, president of the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG), released a statement on Friday, May 21, slamming Seattle’s Capitol Hill Pride after it banned cops from attending the 2021 parade over concerns about "white supremacy". This was followed by a gay Seattle Police Department sergeant blasting the LGTBQ group's decision.
Capitol Hill Pride announced on May 21 that law enforcement officers were not allowed to attend the parade, which is slated to take place on June 26 and 27. It claimed that the decision to ban police was to create "an atmosphere free of fear or harm" and demanded that police working the event stick to the perimeters as there were “ongoing concerns of white supremacy views within police departments.”
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“We feel the best way the police can do their job is on the perimeter watching for violators, hate groups and potential disruptions and uphold the new Washington State ban of open carry firearms at demonstrations instead of creating an intimidating police presence,” the statement added.
Solan blasted the decision on Friday as "bigoted" and "disgusting". "SPOG also condemns in the strongest language possible any entity involved in scheduling events for Seattle’s Gay Pride Week that has already decided to ban Seattle Police officers from participating", adding that banning Seattle Police from pride is "disgusting, bigoted, discriminatory and contradicts our community’s beautiful inclusive LGBTQ message."
The following day, a sergeant with the Seattle Police Department — who is a member of the LGBTQ community — sent an emotional email to Seattle Pride with respect to the ban. "Hello, my name is [omitted]. I've lived and worked in Seattle for almost 20 years. I have absolutely loved the community the city gave me when I moved here after college from a small town," the sergeant said in an email obtained by The Post Millennial, which chose not to disclose his identity.
"My disabled military veteran husband feels the same way. Pride to us was a monthly reminder each year of the great fortune we have and a chance to show thanks to the previous generation of gays, lesbians, trans for their work and sacrifice making the world more accepting to our folks," he continued.
"The world has shifted in such a positive way towards the LGBTQ community and become so much more accepting that my husband and I were able to achieve our lifelong dream of adopting two babies," he added. "They are both children of color that came into our lives from the foster system. I wanted to be able to teach them the values of acceptance, respect, diversity, and inclusion that your organization values."
The 18-year veteran with the Seattle Police Department slammed organizers for barring SPD from partaking while still asking for police protection at the event. "However, I am a sergeant with the Seattle Police department. Your organization has taken the stance that no one in our organization is welcome to join in this year's Pride celebration. I have personally spent my career, about 18 years now fighting for the rights of our community. To keep us all safe and to make the world a better space," he shot back at the event organizers.
"I have worked to support queer youth, worked as a gay liaison officer and current patrol on Capitol Hill to ensure I can impact our community in the best possible way," the sergeant continued. "I could not be more disappointed in what I and many LGBTQ officers feel is your blatant hate that is illustrated in your actions. Further, the hypocrisy of not allowing us in the parade but then asking for our protection from afar in the case someone treats you as you have us."
"These are my thoughts alone, I cannot speak for the department. I wish your organization the strength to do what’s right in the future," the sergeant concluded.