A community activist is organizing a "unity festival" for first responders to take place the same day as the Pride parade.

Bryn Hendricks had brought a petition to Toronto city hall last month, which opposed a decision made by Pride Toronto organizers that uniformed police officers cannot march in the parade this year.

Hendricks is now organizing the First Responders Unity Festival to show "love and solidarity" to police, firefighters and paramedics.

He tells NEWSTALK 1010 that the event will take place near the parade route, so that people can participate in both events.

A location has yet to be chosen.

"Pride has a special meanting to everyone, and it is exciting to celebrate our first responders and civil servants in how they identify," Hendricks says.