Local Cops Brushing Up On LGBTQ2 Language, History
Two Day Seminar Making Sure Officers Are Armed With Correct Terminology
A two-day summit in Barrie is making sure police officers know which words to use.
We are lucky to have been invited to the @OPPA today. Right now, our learners are discussing and learning the terms used in our community along with proper pronouns. @OPPCommHawkes @OACPOfficial #LGBTQ2 #inclusion pic.twitter.com/h7zVYGLK6A
— Serving With Pride (@LGBTQ911) October 3, 2018
Serving With Pride, an LGBTQ2 organization made up of law enforcement professionals, is in Barrie Wednesday and Thursday, speaking with members of the Ontario Provincial Police Association about diversity, terminology, and inclusion. One of the event’s speakers is Serving With Pride Co-Chair Brian Mitchell, who came out while a member of Hamilton’s police service.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”As soon as I got onto the service, as the first openly gay officer, it was my responsibility to be that beacon for others within that service that may not feel as comfortable.”[/perfectpullquote]
Brian is among the officers giving local officers a class called LGBTQ2 101, giving them the basics in language, terminology, and how people explain their own gender identities.
Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sexual Orientation. Let’s talk about language @OPPAssociation #learning pic.twitter.com/gefnIGzk8O
— Serving With Pride (@LGBTQ911) October 3, 2018
The two-day tutelage is taking place at the Ontario Provincial Police Association offices in Barrie, and not only covers the acceptable terminology, but also a lesson in history.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”We understand that the history of where we’ve come from is important, and we talk about Stonewall and we talk about the Toronto bath house raids, because that brings us up to date to where we are today.”[/perfectpullquote]
Brian and those from Serving With Pride have taken this mobile training seminar to 37 different police agencies within Ontario.
Today’s @OPPAssociation team! @Barrie360 after a successful #LGBTQ101 educational session. pic.twitter.com/6Bdk8E7STR
— Serving With Pride (@LGBTQ911) October 3, 2018
