Law enforcement professionals across the United States are representatives of their communities. While they all share the same passion for the job, they have different beliefs, customs, cultures, and lifestyles. The inherent dangers of the job are also the same for every one of them. When they are at their most vulnerable, they want to be treated equally, regardless of who they are as people. LGBTQIA+ law enforcement professionals are not new to the profession: they have always been here—but not always seen—risking their lives daily to protect and serve.
The public story of LGBTQIA+ law enforcement begins in 1962 with the first liaison position created in the San Francisco Police Department, which served a large LGBT community during that time. SFPD saw how tensions ran high due to lack of communication and decided to work to improve their relationship with the LGBT community. While significant strides were made to repair this long-strained relationship, LGBTQIA+ within law enforcement were prohibited from serving at the time, and those who did serve had to keep their personal lives private in order to keep their jobs. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that major lawsuits began to break down barriers and allow LGBT officers to be their authentic selves on the job.
In this digital exhibit, visitors will learn about the history of LGBTQIA+ law enforcement over the past half century. They will experience first-hand accounts through exclusive oral history interviews with several retired and actively serving LGBTQIA+ officers. The exhibit also discusses how modern law enforcement departments are working with the LGBTQIA+ community in their area as well as among their own ranks.
CSW (Christopher Street West Assoc. Inc.) LA Pride Parade with LAPD, 2006 | Photo courtesy of Don Mueller
Philadelphia Police Officers marching in the Philadelphia Pride Parade - June, 2019 | Photo courtesy of Nicholas Tees
Greg Miraglia and Anthony Kasper discuss their experiences in law enforcement after coming out,
and the importance of LGTBQIA+ in law enforcement.
