In a historic move, a Pride flag was raised above Toronto Police Headquarters on Thursday as tensions over police participation in the Pride parade remain high.

Members of Toronto Police Service’s LBGTQ Consultative Committee and Dept. Chief James Ramer were on hand for the ceremony, which marks the start of month-long Pride celebrations.

Supt. Barb McLean, who sits on the committee, called the flag raising a “historic moment” in TPS history.

“I’ve been to many Pride flag raisings, at city hall for example, but here at police headquarters with my friends and my colleagues is incredibly special. When I joined the Toronto police service 20 years ago, I could not have imagined this day,” she said.

“Today is no small feat when you consider that in the 1980s, police officers and gay rights activists were on opposite sides of the barricade.”

Back in February, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders announced that the service would pull out from this year’s Pride parade after Black Lives Matter- Toronto sparked a heated debate about police participation.

The group halted last year’s Pride Parade and called on Pride Toronto to exclude uniformed officers from future parades as well as consent to several other demands.

A majority of Pride Toronto members later voted in favour of those demands at the organization’s Annual General Meeting.

At the time of his decision, Saunders said he wanted the LBGTQ community and the service to “address their differences.”

Some LGBTQ members of the Toronto Police Service later asked the city to withhold Pride Toronto’s annual $260,000 grant, saying in a statement that they would feel “completely de-valued” by the city otherwise.

Those efforts, along with a motion by Toronto city Coun. John Campbell, were dismissed on May 26 when council voted 27-17 against it.

Speaking to reporters at the flag raising Thursday, Supt. McLean said the dispute has been “emotional” but acknowledged that TPS is “motivated” to mend the relationship with the LBGTQ community.

“I think it’s important to recognize what today is, and it’s an important step forward. It’s a public display of support of our LGBTQ members and our communities,” McLean said.

“Today’s decision was made because it’s the right thing to do. This is just another public display of our support for our members and our communities.”

LBGTQ Liaison Officer Const. Danielle Bottineau called the ongoing battle between Pride Toronto and TPS a “rollercoaster ride” but said Saunders’ decision to withdraw from the parade was the right call.

“I’ve been on the job 18 years, I’ve been out for over 20 years and it’s a very proud moment for me. Did I think it was going to happen? Had you asked me 18 years ago, I probably would have said no but I am truly appreciative and thankful for the support that we have within our service. I mean, this is a perfect example,” Bottineau said.

“Yeah, it will be a little bit different this year but this is one of those days that we’re going to recognize and celebrate it.”

Saunders will hold the annual Pride reception next week.

Pride celebrations across the city start today and will stretch through to Canada Day.