Coming Out from Behind the Badge ― The People, Events, and History That Shape Our Journey

Coming out from behind the Badge is a book intended to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) law enforcement professionals who are seeking a way to "come out" and be successful on the job. It is also intended to educate heterosexuals (persons attracted to the opposite sex) and cisgender people (persons who identify their gender in a way that is consistent with their birth sex) to better understand differences in sexual orientation and gender identity and how to support their colleagues. In addition, this edition of Coming out from behind the Badge was written to support students who are preparing for a career in law enforcement and those already in the field seeking a better understanding of a large segment of the community which law enforcement serves. The book contains stories from real LGBT law enforcement professionals who are "out" on the job serving communities across the country. In addition to the stories, the book contains new chapters explaining sexual orientation and gender identity, LGBT history related to law enforcement, and expanded sections on how to come out and how to create an inclusive and supportive workplace. This book is ideal for LGBT law enforcement professionals, straight allies, law enforcement executives, and those who are seeking a law enforcement career. It makes an ideal textbook for police academies and classes in community policing, public administration, and LGBT studies. An instructor guide is available with course outlines, learning activities, and critical thinking questions. This book is perfect for you if you are - Working in law enforcement and thinking about coming out. - An out gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person in law enforcement. - A friend or colleague who wants to learn how to be supportive. - A criminal justice student preparing for a law enforcement career. - An agency executive wanting a rank and file that reflects the community. - A law enforcement psychologist who wants to understand better. - A young gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person seeking a law enforcement career. Stories in this book come from: Greg Lempke An Officer From The East Coast An Officer From Alabama Jon Henderson David Lewis Jr. Danielle Jonas John Sanders Anthony Morgado Patricia Fitzpatrick Scott Gunn Gregory Abbink Jeri Mitchell Kevin Collins Darran Mazaika www.comingoutfrombehindthebadge.com www.outtoprotect.org

Greg Miraglia is the dean of criminal justice training at Napa Valley College. Since 1986, he has been teaching a variety of law enforcement courses including cultural diversity, human relations, work place harassment and discrimination prevention, community policing, and one of the only state certified hate crimes investigations courses in the State of California. In 2011, he authored curriculum for an accredited LGBT Studies Program now offered by Napa Valley College. This was the second program of its type offered by a California college. In July of 2013, Mr. Miraglia was awarded the "Dr. John W. Rice Diversity Award" by the Chancellor of the California Community College system for his work developing hate crime prevention and diversity education programs. He is a nationally recognized speaker and expert on LGBT issues in the law enforcement profession. He serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Matthew Shepard Foundation and is the National Program Coordinator for the Stop the Hate! Program. He speaks about hate crime prevention throughout the country. He is also a radio program host and producer on Outbeat Radio, a weekly LGBT program on KRCB Radio in northern California. Mr. Miraglia has over 35 years of experience in law enforcement with three different police departments working most recently as deputy chief of the Napa Valley Railroad Police Department. After coming out himself in 2004, Mr. Miraglia decided to work with others in law enforcement still struggling with the pervasive homophobia that still exists in many areas of the law enforcement, the fire service, and EMS profession. Mr. Miraglia has a Masters Degree in Education, a Bachalor's Degree in Business, and is a graduate of the California P.O.S.T. Master Instructor Development Program.