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Post by bluepride on Apr 12, 2012 13:52:57 GMT -5
LAPD Chief’s LGBTQ Forum at The Village Thursday—New Trans Guidelines LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, openly gay Police Commissioner Rob Saltzman and Assistant Chief Sandy Jo MacArthur headline the LAPD’s LGBTQ Community Forum Thursday night, April 12. The forum will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s The Village at Ed Gould Plaza, 1125 N. McCadden Plaza. LGBTQ Community Forum enables the community to hear from and talk with Commissioner Saltzman, Chief Beck and top Command Staff about what’s happening with policy changes and enforcement, as well as updates on hate crimes and training. Officer Alessandra Moura from Media Relations also tells me there may be some news made, too, regarding an how the LAPD is required to act in its interactions with the trans community. Moura writes that “a Notice from The Office of The Chief of Police, has taken effect. Together with the Mayor’s Office, TWG, Dean & Professor Valerie Jenness, Ph. D. (UC Irvine, School of Social Ecology), and the LGBT community, we now have a solid document that provides key terms and guidelines for our officers as it relates to interactions with the transgender community.” Read article: LAPD Chief’s LGBTQ Forum at The Village Thursday—New Trans Guidelines
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Post by bluepride on Jul 15, 2012 11:40:56 GMT -5
FLORIDA: After complaint by lesbian lieutenant, Coral Gables on verge of offering domestic-partner benefits to police Following a complaint by a lesbian Coral Gables police lieutenant denied bereavement leave when her partner's father died, the city has tentatively agreed to provide sworn officers with domestic-partner benefits, according to SAVE Dade, the county's largest gay-rights group. "Lieutenant Rene Tastet has been in a committed and loving relationship with her partner for over 9 years," reads a memo sent Monday from John Baublitz, president of the Coral Gables Fraternal Order of Police. "Lieutenant Tastet requested Bereavement Leave for the loss of her Father-in-law, whom she respected and loved dearly. Lieutenant Tastet wanted the time to grieve for her loss and be there to support her partner during her time of mourning." The city, which does not provide unmarried municipal employees with domestic-partner benefits, denied Tastet's request. Gay and lesbian couples are not permitted by law to marry in Florida, nor are same-sex marriages elsewhere recognized by the state. After being denied leave, Tastet -- a Coral Gables employee since 1990 -- filed a complaint with city and FOP. "She filed a grievance initially, but she never took it to the arbitration route," Coral Gables Human Resources director Elsa Jaramillo-Velez told The Miami Herald. About the time Tastet filed her complaint, someone notified SAVE Dade, which launched an online campaign for city domestic partner benefits. "The City of Coral Gables knows its policies discriminate against LGBT employees by not extending them the health and employee benefits their heterosexual colleagues automatically receive as part of their employment," according to a SAVE Dade email sent in June to supporters. "They know this because SAVE Dade brought it to their attention after we were contacted by one of their own who was denied bereavement leave rights. She was denied this right simply because she is lesbian." Several LGBT activists contacted City Hall to complain. Read article: After complaint by lesbian lieutenant, Coral Gables on verge of offering domestic-partner benefits to police
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Post by bluepride on Jan 7, 2013 13:04:30 GMT -5
Not a "Police" issue as such...but I couldn't find a better place to post this and I didn't feel like starting a thread just for this.... Out attorney makes second bid for judgeship An openly gay attorney has announced that he will run this spring for one of the 10 open judgeships on the Court of Common Pleas — and this time, he intends to be victorious. Chris Mallios, who was born and raised in Philadelphia, ran for the bench for the first time in 2011, but came in 15th out of a pool of more than 30 candidates, just outside the needed top-10 mark. Mallios is an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania and works as an attorney advisor at a Washington, D.C.-based anti-violence organization called AEquitas — something he said has kept him busy since the last election. “I spend half my time on the road and half my time working in Philadelphia,” he said. Mallios has traveled all over the country training law enforcement on how to handle domestic violence and rape cases. He described AEquitas as victim-centered and inclusive. “We give victims of domestic violence and rape the same access to justice that other crime victims get,” he said. Also in the last two years, he’s had time to strategize for his next bid for Common Pleas, utilizing the lessons he learned from his first campaign. “I learned to start early. So much depends on the support of wards when running for judge. I learned in my last campaign that ward leaders are people who genuinely care about city government and want to get to know the candidates and that really takes time,” he said. Mallios said he waited too long in his last campaign to make those connections but, this time, plans to get his name and message out early. In the next few months, he said, he will reach out to stakeholders through modern means of communication as well as face-to-face interactions. Read article: Out attorney makes second bid for judgeship
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Post by bluepride on Jan 21, 2013 18:22:03 GMT -5
Police group looks at crimes, unsolved murders The first Philadelphia Police LGBT Liaison Committee meeting of the year came with a word of caution to the community: Be aware of your surroundings. On Jan. 10, the committee convened at the William Way LGBT Community Center to discuss updates on several unsolved murders in the LGBT community, recent crime statistics in the Gayborhood and a possible antigay hate crime that occurred New Year’s Eve. Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel, the department’s LGBT liaison, provided a report on the investigation into the murders of Kyra Cordova, Stacey Blahnik and Michael J. Fox, although there was little new information. He said investigators continue to work on each case but are not yet at the point of making any arrests. Members and police officials also reviewed crime trends in the Gayborhood. Officer Joe Ferraro said there have been a number of recent apartment and home break-ins in the Sixth District, which encompasses the Gayborhood. Sgt. Mark Palma said it’s crucial for individuals to report suspicious people near their buildings to the police. “Don’t wait. Don’t say in your mind, ‘No, I don’t think they are doing anything,’” he said. “Please call. That is what we are here for.” Robbery arrests included one outside of Woody’s, where two males asked an individual for a cigarette and then proceeded to rob the victim. Ferraro warned community members to be more vigilant when they walk around the city at night with their cell phones — noting a recent cell-phone robbery of a priest. “We had a Lutheran priest at the 1200 block of Walnut Street get robbed of his phone,” the officer said. “He was pepper-sprayed in the face.” Lt. Patrick Doherty encouraged those with smart phones to download the “Track My Phone” app. He cautioned those with the app not to discontinue their phone service in the event of a robbery so that officials can utilize the app to track the phone. The group also discussed an alleged hate crime that happened on New Year’s Eve near the Gayborhood, with the four victims present. According to one of the victims, he was holding hands with another man on 13th between Market and Chestnut streets and was attacked by a group of people consisting of one woman and three men, who called them “faggots” repeatedly. Two men who witnessed the fight tried to intervene and were attacked by the group in the process, resulting in injuries to one man’s mouth. The four victims connected over Craigslist after one of them posted a description of the event to locate any witnesses. Doherty said detectives are working hard on the case. Read article: Police group looks at crimes, unsolved murders
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Post by TheBear on Feb 10, 2013 10:32:34 GMT -5
BluePriders, I am greatly heartened with news stories such as this. There really IS a slow societal change regarding Dignity and Respect for all... including LGBTs. As witness the civil rights and equality movement for racial minorities, here we are over a half-century later and society is slowly now including LGBTs as well. I vividly recall in the 1940s when my father would make statements such as "darkies are genetically inferior to us." I was a child and I didn't speak up but I well remember even then somehow knowing it was wrong. Somehow, even at age 4-5-6, my inner-child's then-developing values / attitudes were deeply repulsed by such ignorance. Alas, there are still today lingering views by some who would agree with my father. Later, in my 50s, my abusive and ignorant father gone, my mother would make a one-time-only comment on the rare times I would mention anything about my being gay. She said, "I knew you were when you were a young child." Hate comes from Fear which comes from Ignorance. ... and it is "normal" to fear that which one does not understand. Often, people cling to the value-attitudes which formed within them as young children because familiarity is comforting, even ignorant views which one may later know to be false. Perhaps, my value/attitudes of love and inclusiveness came from my needs to be loved as an "other" - or even as a pushback - for my being a hated/feared minority decades before even I knew I was one? Now, we have a news story of LGBTs being defended by a police chief, just as blacks were defended by a smattering of whites in Selma a half-century ago. And, the old, the bigoted and ignorant ones are dying out... CINCINNATI Ohio mayor resigns after alleged anti-gay slurs Police chief defended recently hired officer in Pomeroy... The mayor of a southeastern Ohio town has resigned over accusations that she repeatedly called a gay police officer "queer" in front of his colleagues and created a hostile work environment. Jackie Welker, council president in the Village of Pomeroy, tells The Associated Press that 78-year-old Mayor Mary McAngus submitted a letter of resignation Saturday. She was accused of calling Calendine a queer and using other slurs. Others said she didn’t want Calendine’s partner stopping by the police department, though family members of other officers routinely drop by with lunch or before or after a shift.... Calendine said he’s been overwhelmed by the widespread support he’s received and hopes now that tensions in the community will ease... ... Police chief Mark Proffitt, stood up for officer Kyle Calendine, the gay officer. The chief said, “Kyle Calendine would lay down his life for anyone in need.” Proffitt, has been police chief since 2000 in Pomeroy, about 100 miles southeast of Columbus. “This is a win for Kyle, for our department and for the gay community. It lets people know that no matter what, we’re all in this together.” YES, Virginia, times and people are changing. Bear Link: www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2013/02/09/pomeroy-ohio-mayor-resigns-after-alleged-anti-gay-slurs.html
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Post by hcsodale on Feb 10, 2013 19:17:08 GMT -5
Calendine did not get an apology from the Mayor, but I'm sure he realizes that if he did, it really wouldn't have been sincere. Apologies are best made by their words and subsequent actions. Her resignation was probably only because of the civil lawsuit for the town.
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Post by TheBear on Feb 11, 2013 2:22:17 GMT -5
Calendine did not get an apology from the Mayor, but I'm sure he realizes that if he did, it really wouldn't have been sincere. Apologies are best made by their words and subsequent actions. Her resignation was probably only because of the civil lawsuit for the town. I agree with our friend Dale. The mayor's resignation likely was indeed a move to try and avoid litigation. There are those old minds that simply aren't going to change. Good riddance to this old mayor and her hate. What got my attention was that the Chief and the PD stood up for this gay officer and welcomed his partner just like the spouses and SOs of any other officer. Inclusiveness with Dignity and Respect... just like everyone else. Bear
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Post by bluepride on Feb 11, 2013 14:52:06 GMT -5
Thanks for posting this, Bear. I heard about it on Saturday night but with the weather and snow and all the rest, I didn't get around to posting it like I wanted to. I'm feeling the effects of winter right now! My head is pounding, my sinuses are acting up and I'm just feeling...."blah". So my online time the last few days is sporadic! (That might be a good thing!)
It is definitely a positive when the department steps up against the Mayor of a town or city to defend one of their Cops for being who he is. That silly old bitty needs to retire, sit and knit, ....let me stop. I might say something nasty......
And Bear....maye you can bake me up a batch of cookies laced with copius amounts of Ny-Quil??? Yummy!
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Post by TheBear on Feb 11, 2013 16:15:29 GMT -5
Bear to the rescue, Tommy! Yes, yes... I will indeed bake up a batch of cookies to ease your symptoms. In the mean time, I left a couple pairs of my electric Depends in the cabinet in the BluePride break room to keep you warm! (Don't tell anybody - it's a secret strictly between you and me: If you wear one pair on your head, the heat helps open up your sinuses.) A batch of white chocolate mac nut cookies for Carroll just came out of the oven. The last batch he washed down with Bailey's and "vodkah" HAHA! Next, I'll bake up some RUM RAISIN bread pudding for YOU, Tommy. Breathe deeply... The aroma will take away all your discomfort, the sun will come out, the snow will melt, the birdies will sing, the... well, you get the idea! Tommy, I hope you feel better soon, my good man. Nurse Bear (with the warm ears ;D)
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Post by bluepride on May 13, 2013 15:47:15 GMT -5
Allegations Aimed at Anne Arundel Police Chief Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman launched an investigation last week into allegations that the county's top law enforcement officer, Chief Larry Tolliver, used homophobic slurs and retaliated against officers whose testimony led to the criminal conviction of former County Executive John Leopold on charges of misconduct, according to The Baltimore Sun. County Councilman Jamie Benoit first called for the investigation into Tolliver, repeating allegations from officers that Tolliver had moved detectives into less desirable positions and had used homophobic slurs, referring to one person as a ''rump ranger'' and commenting to an officer, ''I didn't know you were a fag.'' Tolliver denied any wrongdoing, telling The Baltimore Sun April 23 that the personnel changes were not demotions, but a broader effort to fix the department. Tolliver told the Sun he supports a ''culture of diversity'' and does not recall using homophobic slurs, saying, ''I'm not homophobic. I'm not going to question anyone's sexual orientation. It's none of my business and it's a personal issue.'' READ ARTICLE: Allegations Aimed at Anne Arundel Police ChiefA little late posting this....but...at this point, it's "allegations". Let's see how it plays out....
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Post by bluepride on Jun 13, 2013 18:26:29 GMT -5
New guidelines for Boston cops on how to treat transgender people
Boston police have issued new guidelines on how officers should treat transgender people, a policy that one department official says is to ensure that everyone is treated with “respect and dignity.”
The policy unveiled Tuesday by Commissioner Ed Davis requires police to address transgender people by their chosen names, whether it’s their legally recognized name or not, and to use appropriate pronouns as chosen by the person.
The policy also gives transgender criminal suspects the right to request to be frisked by an officer whose gender is of their choosing, and the right to be transported alone and held in a cell alone whenever possible.
“Our main goal is that everyone should be treated equally, and everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, whether you’re at the front desk or on the other side of the front desk,” said Officer Javier Pagan, the department’s liaison to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
The guidelines come five months after the department spent $20,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a transgender woman who was arrested for refusing to leave a women’s bathroom at a city homeless shelter in May 2010.
Brenda Wernikoff said she was forced to take off her top and officers refused to address her with feminine pronouns.
The rules are a “step in the right direction,” she said. “It shouldn’t have happened in the beginning and shouldn’t happen anymore.”
The rules have been in development for several years and are modeled after similar policies in other big-city departments, including Chicago and Washington, D.C., Pagan said.
“Situations like the one with Brenda do happen too often to our community,” said Jesse Begenyi, interim director of the Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition. “Hopefully, policies like this will prevent these incidents from happening as frequently.”
READ ARTICLE: New guidelines for Boston cops on how to treat transgender people
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Post by bluepride on Sept 21, 2013 14:33:06 GMT -5
Gay cop sues city for harassment
N. Melville Jones, an openly gay Philadelphia police officer, is suing the city for alleged workplace discrimination and harassment due to his sexual orientation.
Jones, 44, a 15-year veteran, filed suit Sept. 17 in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court.
The lawsuit contends that within the Philadelphia Police Department, “police officers known to be gay are subject to harassment, held in low esteem and are at an increased risk of harm.”
In May 2009, Daniel Castro, a former high-ranking police official, began harassing Jones after observing him leave an LGBT-oriented bar, Jones alleges in the suit.
At the time, Jones was on medical leave for torn ligaments in his hand, and Castro allegedly began pressuring him to return to work directly under his command.
Castro wanted Jones to become “an inside confidante to accommodate Castro’s questionable activities,” the lawsuit maintains.
Jones declined the offer because Castro had a reputation of pressuring subordinates to “doctor” police reports, according to the suit.
Castro is no longer employed by the city. In 2011, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit extortion in an unrelated matter, and was sentenced to 60 months in prison.
In June 2009, Jones returned to work in an “operations room,” where police reports are handled. But within days, the officer said, Castro had Jones transferred to street patrol.
The suit contends that, after Jones attempted to lodge an internal antibias complaint, he was assigned to an undesired “graveyard shift” and several colleagues began treating him negatively, which he attributed to anti-LGBT animosity encouraged by Castro.
In January 2010, while Jones was out on sick leave, Castro circulated a staff memo that identified Jones as “Mel Jones Cums,” according to the lawsuit.
Jones filed two complaints with the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, alleging employment discrimination and retaliation due to Jones’ race (African-American), sex and sexual orientation. But those omplaints were dismissed as unsubstantiated, the suit said.
Gerald J. Pomerantz, an attorney for Jones, said the officer is seeking in excess of $50,000 in compensatory and punitive damages and will request a jury trial.
Jones was unavailable for comment due to the pending litigation, his attorney said.
“My client has held up very well under the circumstances,” Pomerantz told PGN. “He’s hoping this lawsuit will bring about better treatment and understanding for LGBT officers within the police department.”
Police spokesperson Lt. John Stanford, said the “department treats all members equally and fairly regardless of race, gender, religion or sexual orientation. One’s sexual orientation has no bearing on their ability to be a police officer. Therefore, the department would not condone or tolerate anyone treating someone (officer or civilian) unfairly. And this is the first time I’m hearing of any incident that would suggest that someone on this job was treated differently.”
READ ARTICLE: Gay cop sues city for harassment
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2013 9:22:09 GMT -5
Bluepride, I still remember when we tried to set up the GOAL chapter in Philadelphia. It was back in 2000. The president was more interested in protecting her own questionable history in the police department then doing the work to put the chapter together. The guys were not focused on the problems they had within the department. They only wanted a social club. If they had taken care of business, they would have a functioning organization today and they could have been there to help this man. Instead, nobody wanted to do the work, and after I came down to Florida, the group fell apart. Gay cops in Philadelphia have to put up with a lot of crap today because, when they had the chance to help themselves, they could not or would not get their act together.
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Post by bluepride on Sept 26, 2013 13:47:11 GMT -5
They made their own beds, now they have to lie in them. The group should've stayed together and been there to help if and when they were needed. Their priorities were misplaced.
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Post by edmontongreg on Nov 5, 2013 8:55:52 GMT -5
touch.towleroad.com/tlrd/#!/entry/hawaii-police-union-chief-you-will-have-to-kill-me,5278f7abe56d0bb85335b4ba If this were someone else in the department it would be serious, the head of the Union saying this??? He may have Gay officers now. This guy should step down on principle. Management can take care of his irresponsible statements.
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