2023 Tulsa Pride Festival starts Friday, storm recovery limits police support

By: Samson Tamijani , Braden Bates

TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa Pride announced Wednesday that weekend events will continue as Tulsa continues to recover from the recent storms.

Tulsa Police Chief Wendell Franklin said Friday that TPD is focused on storm recovery and as a result is not staffed to provide support for the event. He said the department is in touch with organizers about the situation this year.

"All of our resources are focused on (recovery) and we want to create a safe environment, not just for our citizens but also for the thousands of line workers and others that are in our city," Tulsa Chief of Police Wendell Franklin said in Friday's storm recovery news conference at Tulsa City Hall.

"Right now when we're in an emergency, the primary job for them is to keep those who do not have power safe," Mayor G.T. Bynum added.

TPD response focused on storm recovery

TPD and the Working in Neighborhood department said it worked with organizers about the events being held during this state of emergency.

Police said they diverted resources and approved security plans for Tulsa Pride events including Friday's Rainbow Run and Saturday's festival. They also said they'll work with organizers of other events to reschedule large events during the state of emergency if necessary.

Tulsa Pride 2023 will be Dorothy Ballard's first as lead organizer, and told 2 News she is eager to make the most of what is possible to put on.

"We're again fighting to be legitimized and recognized as human beings and members of this community, especially after all of the punitive legislation that has moved forward," Ballard said. "So it's important that we have celebrations like this where we can get together and be our authentic selves."

The Oklahomans For Equality executive director said it was expected to be their highest turnout in years this weekend.

"Last year we welcomed over 80,000 people. Each year that grows. We get more and more regional participants," she said.

But the parade itself would also have to guarantee security and traffic enforcement. The city said it cannot supply the needed 60 regular and reserve police officers while the city recovers from storm damages.

Ballard told 2 News the drop in officers announced in the presser were not discussed with her team before the press conference. She said this is forcing some last-minute changes to a parade that would usually span much of downtown.

"Now we're going to be starting within the footprint of our festival grounds, so very close to Frankfurt I think it is, and then just proceeding out of one of the designated lots that we contracted," Ballard said. "Again, processing through 4th Street exiting on Madison and just moving forward that way."

To make up for the lack of TPD presence, Ballard said private security has been increased and that plans were assessed by FEMA and Homeland Security.

Volunteers and organizers alike said they remain confident in this weekend's celebrations.

"We've had a few questions," volunteer Bryce Cox said. "I know there's been some people asking since Juneteenth. We've had a few regular folks ask us. But yes, everything is good, everything's golden, and we are good to go."

"Every time we think we kind of got a handle on something we kind of get hit with something new," Ballard added. "But again, (we're) super resilient. And we've got plans within plans within plans because this is too important a celebration for it not to take place."

Ballard said Sunday's pride celebration and concert at Guthrie Green downtown will not require any road closings, and that they did not have to increase security for it.