Gay police officers struggle for acceptance in South

[kweerwolf]

“Don’t worry, I’m gay too,” Officer James Davis remembers whispering to a gay man in police custody following a domestic dispute.

The intimate exchange had to suffice, because if other patrolmen discovered his “secret,” the gay officer could be subjected to the same barrage of anti-gay slurs directed toward the prisoner.

Despite substantial steps in securing equality for gay people in the workplace, gay police officers like Davis say secrecy remains a way of life for many in their field.

Certain states, like Florida and New York, have support organizations for gay law enforcement officers. Georgia does not. But Davis hopes a first-of-its-kind conference for gay criminal justice personnel in the state, scheduled for Sept. 10 at Emory University, will change that.

http://www.southernvoice.com/2005/8-19/news/localnews/localnews_police.cfm

[William769]

1. Self delete.

[Maat]

2. Thanks for the post.

I pray daily for a society that is open and affirming (this PFLAGer).