The Auckland Pride Parade is standing behind its decision banning uniformed police from marching, despite a strong push-back from many people in the rainbow community.

The Pride Board says some community members have told them having police marching in Pride, in uniform, makes them feel 'less safe'.

Georgina Beyer is a former Labour Party Member of Parliament, and was the world's first openly transsexual mayor. She told Andrew Dickens she is extremely upset over the decision by the board to ban police, and believes it could do serious damage.

"I couldn't be more disappointed in the Auckland Pride board decision. We have built bridges with people in authority over the last 30 years. We can't wallow in our own victim hood forever. We have to move forward, and this type of decision is destructive."

LISTEN ABOVE AS GEORGINA BEYER SPEAKS TO ANDREW DICKENS