He says he was willing to serve at the Gay Pride parade but didn’t want to ride in front of the parade as he feared it might be interpreted as being a participant.
They could have cut the guy a break, instead of throwing the book, but the main point still stands: There’s no right not to serve at parades or political gatherings you disagree with.
UPDATE: The Utah cop who was disciplined, his police department claims, for refusing to protect a gay pride parade has resigned, and hired a lawyer. See my Corner post here.