President's Message

PRIDE Parade 2018

As we close in 2019, I feel it is important to remember all that we have been through in just a few months. We, the group that was initially known as the "LGBT Committee," started long before 2019 when our Liaison, EJ Joseph, was assigned a project to get a group of queers together to form an employee support group.  The way I see it, a task was given to her, and she not only ran with it, but she made us who we are today! 

EJ, thank you for all your sacrifice, God knows you have given our community sweat and tears so that we can be where we are now.  

I remember talking to EJ long before Chief Acevedo wanted to form a support group, back when we were offering “Info Panels” at the Montrose Center with volunteers to show face. I recall sitting with one of our ACs, about eight years ago, and discussing how the idea of such a group was not even in sight or a possibility. My wishful and naïve mind was in awe at how closeted everyone seemed to be. I have since heard many stories of experiences that nobody should have to endure, too many to count. I have also heard stories from younger generations that offer no sign of adverse treatment for being part of the LGBT community. I have seen, in such a short time, a great deal of change within our department — a good kind of change. 

I have been asked time and time again, "if we have changed so much in the right direction, then why do we still need to have a support group for our LGBT Cops?” The questions have come from both straight and LGBT officers, from inside and outside the department. My answer is simple because there is still so much work to be done!   

The reality of the situation is that Police Officers are still antagonistic towards anything that does not fit the “Macho” idealism of being a cop, and the law enforcement culture is still a conservative society in fear of change. LGBT officers are still afraid of proudly serving their community as themselves, their true self, and stay closeted at their job for as long as possible or choose to not talk about their personal life to their coworkers.  

For years, many LGBT officers relied on other gay cops they met outside of work for friendship and mentorship. A perfectly safe circle of friends who were there for one another in good and bad times, drama or not, and kept their secret safe. There may not have been a need for an organization like LEAP because everyone relied on each other for support and advice, everyone went to the same hangout spots, played the same sports, was in the same team. Today, however, we no longer can rely on this simple formula. There are new technologies that keep us apart; there are miles apart between those who live in Katy and those who live in Pearland, or those who live in Montrose and those who live in Kingwood, and not enough ways to stay connected, truly connected. Today, there are many other ways to divide us than they are to help us connect. There are not enough mentors putting themselves out there and not enough mentees reaching out for support. 

LEAP is not meant to change everyone’s values or beliefs, or traditions. Changing people's minds takes time, and a lot of work! What LEAP hopes to be is a sanctuary for those who feel like outsiders within their own law enforcement culture. What LEAP hopes to achieve is a bridge between personal and work life so that people can be their authentic selves all the time, not just outside of work. 

In pursuit of this goal, LEAP needs first to build trust and create opportunities for members to get to know who we all are. We need to meet role models and offer mentorship and networking opportunities as well as social engagements. We need to let our members know that they matter and offer them opportunities to shine as themselves and not separately as a cop or as an LGBT person.  

This year we have participated in some events with The Montrose Center, including the Groundbreaking of the Senior Living Center and the SAGE Program for Seniors Preparing for Rainbow Years (SPRY). We have been invited and successfully attended several events with the Houston LGBT Chamber of Commerce.  We also attended the Transgender Day of Remembrance, the Unity Banquet, Rock the Runway during PRIDE Celebrations, and the Cadet Bus Tour at Eagle Houston. We hosted a Family Day at The Ballpark and a Holiday Party with a giving theme for our Seniors at SPRY.  Some of our members contributed to some articles published on OutSmart Magazine and even an “I am Life” promotional video. Unfortunately, we also had the displeasure of attending the funeral of a Fallen LGBT Hero when Sgt Kaila Sullivan was killed in the line of duty in Nassau Bay. This year, we changed Liaisons and contributors several times but continue to move forward with our mission. We held Open Elections in September and voted in a 6-person Board of Directors, we also officially adopted the name of “Law Enforcement Alliance of Pride” (LEAP for short) and held regular General Membership Meetings as well as Board Meetings. We began distribution of a Newsletter and numerous email communications to our members and initiated the process to become a nonprofit organization under 501c3 with the Federal Code. We now have our very own domain, an official website, and personalized email addresses for our Board.  

It feels like the process has been slow; it feels like we have done little to reach our goals. Many of us have grown tired and frustrated with the process. Many of us have burned out and decided to take a step back temporarily, BUT the ultimate question is not whether we have done enough. Instead, the real question is whether what we have done is in line with what we hope to achieve. To this, I say, YES, we have! AND I hope we can continue to build bridges and create these opportunities for our members to engage one another, for our members to get out of their comfort zone and meet new people, to form new friendships, to be role models for one another. I hope we can continue to connect with our community through service. I hope we can continue to create opportunities for our members to feel welcome, safe, and joyful to be a part of such a giving organization.  

We have many things in store for LEAP in 2020, and I hope more people see the good we are trying to do and join us in achieving this goal. We look forward to welcoming new members, new ideas, and new partnerships. See you soon!