The president of Calgary Pride says conservative politicians are welcome to take part in next weekend鈥檚 parade as spectators.

Jason Kingsley says not enough is known about the nascent United Conservative Party鈥檚 approach to LGBTQ issues for members to be included in the Sept. 3 march.

The new party鈥檚 interim board passed a resolution this week affirming support for LGBTQ rights and promising to promote and embrace the community in the party.

READ MORE:

Kingsley says that was a great first step but he wants to know how that will be reflected in the party鈥檚 platform and policies.

Party leadership contender Jason Kenney, a former federal cabinet minister, said earlier this week that he wouldn鈥檛 be attending the parade because he wasn鈥檛 invited.

Kingsley says the only politician who receives a formal invite to the parade is the premier, and Kenney is welcome to attend alongside a community liaison.

Kingsley says he鈥檇 rather politicians who don鈥檛 back up their support for LGBTQ rights with policy stay home on the day of the parade.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not a marketing mechanism,鈥� he said following the official raising of the Pride flag outside the government鈥檚 southern Alberta office in downtown Calgary on Friday.

鈥淚t鈥檚 not OK to come and say that they support 鈥� and march and garner public opinion in that manner 鈥� and then not support policy and legislation when it matters.鈥�

The Canadian Press