Resource Guide

 Imagine finally figuring out who you were and working in a job you always dreamed of having, sounds great right? Now, this career that you always wanted excites and fulfills you in every way, you’re highly successful, and admired by your peers. Little do your coworkers know, you have a secret, and you’re always fearful that if anyone you work with discovered this secret, it could all be over. This is what it is like to be a closeted gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender member of law enforcement. Now imagine you just came out at work or are thinking about coming … Continue reading Resource Guide

Blog 6: First Hand Accounts

For the most part, this archive has taken a first-hand personal account since most of the posts involve something I participated in. With the lack of history of first hand personal accounts of LGBT police officers, if I could go back and have the time to personally interview people for their first-hand account of LGBT police culture and their stories I absolutely would. I’d love to personally interview Officer Aiden Budd from the NYPD who is insanely inspirational on so many levels. I’d interview everyday people who put on a uniform, many whom are friends of mine and members of … Continue reading Blog 6: First Hand Accounts

Blog 5: The Mask &The Closet

During the first half of the 20th century, many believed LGBT sexuality was a mask or a performance and that LGBT identities could be flexible or a choice. Basically, a mask that could be taken on or off when needed. In the second half of the 20th century the idea changed to a “coming out” symbol. Sedgwick believed you were only truly living your best life as your most authentic self if you stepped outside of the closet and were open and honest. If you didn’t come out and instead hid inside the closet, you were perceived to be dishonest … Continue reading Blog 5: The Mask &The Closet

Coming Out From Behind The Badge / Out To Protect

“Coming Out From Behind The Badge is a collection of books about coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender while working in law enforcement, the fire service, and EMS profession. We feature stories from public safety professionals who are “out” on the job in communities around the United States.” Greg Miraglia is both the author and founder of the above books and organization Coming Out From Behind The Badge. Miraglia worked in law enforcement for 25 years while he was “in the closet”about his sexuality. In 2004, he wanted to come out. He searched for books, stories, and resources … Continue reading Coming Out From Behind The Badge / Out To Protect

Proud To Be Your Friend

“The two rainbow colored communicating faces that can be seen in the logo represent both the criminal justice community and the LGBT community. They form a symbolic heart that symbolizes balance, togetherness and mutual respect.” The excerpt above is the description written directly by the Proud To Be Your Friend organization and world conference for the above pictured logo. Below the logo is a short video summary of the 2016 Proud To Be Your Friend world conference in Amsterdam. This was the first world conference of its kind specifically for LGBT criminal justice professionals from all over the world. In total, … Continue reading Proud To Be Your Friend

Creating Change From Within

“NYPD provides clear guidelines for how transgender cops can inform superiors of preferred pronouns, names” The NYPD wants to ease the transitions of the department’s transgendered members. A new section of the NYPD’s Patrol Guide describes how transgender NYPD employees can inform their superiors about what names they wish to use, which pronouns they prefer and which locker room they’ll use. “The aim is to provide guidance as our members navigate what is truly a significant life experience,” NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill said Wednesday. “Of course, they will decide when and with whom they will share any private information. But … Continue reading Creating Change From Within

Blog 4: Theorists

In lesson 08 we learned about identity and one thing the stood out to me was Michael Foucault’s “The History of Sexuality”. In this book Foucault writes a story about a simple-minded man in a French village who receives caresses from a little girl as he has done and seen before in the community. The parents of the girl reported him to the police and he was indicted. Foucault goes on to write that from a contemporary perspective we’d consider this man a pedophile and thinking nothing more of it. However, Foucault continues that he was simply doing what he … Continue reading Blog 4: Theorists

“Transgender On The Force”

“I remember asking God a couple of times as a child why I wasn’t born a boy,” Officer Budd said. “Like any other rookie, you want the guys to know you as a good cop,” he said. “Nothing else.” Officer Budd feared that his identity would keep him from being accepted into the fraternity of police officers. “I didn’t want to be judged before they got to know me as a person,” he said. “I didn’t want to be a science project.” Still, he pushed ahead. These days, the New York Police Department embraces “Out and Proud” as a motto. … Continue reading “Transgender On The Force”

“A Gay Officer Caught Between Two Worlds”

“Brian Downey says he was destroyed. It was a day after the mass shooting in Orlando and the detective was walking away from a vigil where his boss, New York Police Commissioner William Bratton, spoke to a crowd of mourners outside of the Stonewall Inn. As Mr. Bratton spoke at the historic gay bar, some in the crowd chanted, “You kill people.” “That vigil was not an accurate portrayal of who the [gay] community is,” Detective Downey said. He added, “The police commissioner is not a killer and I’m not a killer.” The massacre of 49 people in an Orlando … Continue reading “A Gay Officer Caught Between Two Worlds”

Sensitivity Training: LGBT Issues

“Educate and provide sensitivity training for non-LGBTQ law enforcement officers/personnel with respect to issues of employment of LGBTQ law enforcement officers/personnel and providing services to the LGBTQ community at large.” The photo above is a recent photo taken on July 18th, 2017 of some Philadelphia G.O.A.L. members (including myself) as well as Philadelphia’s executive director of LGBT affairs, Amber Hikes, at the Philadelphia Police Academy. Ms. Hikes as well as the members of G.O.A.L. take the time out of their personal schedules to go and teach each and every academy class of new recruits on cultural diversity, sensitivity training, and … Continue reading Sensitivity Training: LGBT Issues