Coming Out From Behind The Badge
By COFBTB Publications
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Podcast Description
"Coming Out From Behind The Badge" is a book for and about gay and lesbian police officers who have come out on the job and who are working successfully in law enforcement. The book offers advice for those who are still in the closet as well as for those straight allies who want to support the LGBT colleagues. Our website includes recommended reading material, documentaries, and our own audio programs and podcasts. Access to all of our materials on the website is free and intended to support LGBT law enforcement professionals.
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“Outbeat Radio Comes Out From Behind The Badge” | May is National Law Enforcement Month and the time each year when we pay tribute to those peace officers who gave their lives to protect and serve our community. This year we honored a special group of law enforcement officers who not only lay their lives on the line for us, but who also happen to be lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender. Often, these officers remain silent on the job because of the pervasive homophobia that still exists within the law enforcement profession. They not only risk their lives on the street, but sacrifice happiness in their personal life to avoid being rejected by the profession. The good news is that things are changing and more officers are now "out on the job" than ever before. As a tribute to this special group in law enforcement, we produced a one-hour special radio show called, "Outbeat Radio Comes Out From Behind The Badge." The showed aired on KRCB Radio (http://www.krcb.org) on Sunday, May 30, 2010. KRCB Radio 91.1 FM is a public radio station located in the North Bay Area of California. Outbeat Radio (http://archive.outbeatnow.org/?page_id=9) is a weekly program that features four different programs each month. Author and show producer, Greg Miraglia, is a regular host on "Outbeat Now! (http://www.outbeatnow.com)," a public affairs and current events show on Outbeat Radio. | 5/30/10 | Free | View In iTunes |
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May 2009 Podcast – Pass The Matthew Shepard Act | This month, author Greg Miraglia explains the importance of expanding Federal Hate Crimes Law to include sexual orientation, gender, and disability. The United States Senate is expected to vote on the Matthew Shepard Act sometime this month. Gay, lebian, bi-sexual, and transgender people continue to be victimized by hate violence. When will this madness end? The Matthew Shepard Act will support local law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. It will not restrict speech, thought, or opinion. Learn more about this important Bill from Judy Shepard, mother of Matthew Shepard, by watching the video below. The music in this podcast includes the amazing voice of rising start, Adam Lambert. | 5/2/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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April 2009 Podcast – Give Up Your Right To Remain Silent! | A student asked me today if gay police officers really have to keep themselves hidden in this day and age. The answer is, unfortunately, still "yes." Homophobia is still alive and well in many law enforcement agencies in California and throughout the United States. In this month's podcast, we challenge you to give up your "right to remain silent." Remaining silent isn't going to change the law enforcement culture. In fact, remaining silent will only continue the pain, fear, and depression commonly experienced by closeted gay and lesbian law enforcement officers. While you can certainly choose to keep your private life a secret, in a profession that is so closely knit, like law enforcement, it can be very tough. Even the most private and quiet of officers is likely to be the subject of rumor and speculation. The only way this great profession is going to change its mind about gay and lesbian officers is to finally meet the many gay and lesbian officers already working side by side with their straight counter parts. Whether you are a student in a police academy class or a seasoned veteran officer, it's time to give your "right to remain silent" and speak the truth about who you are. Allow your fellow officers to learn, to see, that the capable officer they have grown to know and love is the same person they have always know. But after coming out, your fellow officers will get to see the true you. If you have been looking for a good time to come out, use the "Day of Silence" this Friday as your time to speak up. Share your story with us and if you need support, reach out and ask. There are plenty of fellow gay and lesbian law enforcement officers here ready to help you. | 4/18/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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March 2009 Podcast – Getting Into Law Enforcement | No matter who you are, as a prospective law enforcement officer, finding the right department to work for is a critical decision. In this podcast, author Greg Miraglia discusses some of the many considerations involved in finding the right department, especially if you are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender. He offers suggestions for how to find the right police academy to attend as well as for how to explore possible law enforcement employers. | 3/8/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Blue Pride Radio Interview – February 22, 2009 | For those who missed it, here is your chance to listen to my interview on Blue Pride Radio today. This radio program is the very first of its kind devoted specifically to GLBT law enforcement issues. I really appreciated the opportunity to participate today and to have the chance to announce Out To Protect, our new scholarship program. If you haven't had the chance to check out Blue Pride Radio, go to www.blogtalkradio.com/bluepride (http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bluepride) and check it out. | 2/22/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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February 2009 Podcast – How To Share Your Story | Everyone has a story to tell and we are looking for your story to include in the second edition of our book. "American Heroes Come Out From Behind The Badge" will includes stories from all members of the public safety profession. I hear from many people that their story isn't interesting or that nothing horrible has ever happened to them. This book is all about these kinds of people. We want to hear about how your successes as well as your struggles. This month, I will tell you how to contribute your story for our next book. You don't have to be a professional writer and you don't have to use your real name. So what are you waiting for? Below is a link for this month's recommended book. Amazon.com Widgets (http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&MarketPlace=US&ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fc0830-20%2F8001%2F881a746d-7d29-462a-94ae-7f6213acade5&Operation=NoScript) | 2/1/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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January 2009 Podcast – New Years Resolutions | I've always been one who likes new beginnings and New Year's Day provides just the right opportunity to consider personal change and improvement. We are living in historic times and the gay rights movement has never been stronger. There are out gay people participating successfully in every corner of society and the conversations about our issues has never been more prominent. 2009 is the ideal time to come out and start living an authentic life. Every ethical peace officer values truth and honesty above all else. I challenge every gay and lesbian office still living in the closet to make a new year's resolution to come out! There are thousands of out gay and lesbian officers ready and waiting to provide you with all the support you need to be successful. In this podcast, I also discuss other ideas for gay and lesbian officers to consider for resolutions that promote health and a successful law enforcement career. | 1/1/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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The Laramie Project – Montgomery High School | This month I have the honor of working with a most amazing group of young adults at Montgomery High School who are presented "The Laramie Project." I started working with them in October and brought Judy Shepard to meet them. Each of the 14 cast members have really put their complete heart and soul into each of the parts they play. They have learned so much about, not only what happened to Matthew Shepard, about about themselves and their own campus community. I admire their courage and tenacity. I'm facilitating the talk-backs at the end of each presentation and you should hear these kids talk about their experience. You should also see the number of people in the audience who watch and who are brought to tears. I couldn't be more proud of these kids and of the difference they are making. Matt always dreamed of changing the world and I believe that he is doing just that through his story as told by these young people. Please take a few minutes to listen to the director and members of the cast during a local radio station interview. | 12/6/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 12 – Going Home For The Holidays | Department and family holiday parties can be especially stressful times for closeted gay and lesbian officers. Author Greg Miraglia talks about strategies for managing these events. "Every department party has three things in common, ego, alcohol, and rumors." The worse thing you can do is to bring a "beard" and perpetuate a lie for the purposes of "throwing everyone off." The greatest gift you can give yourself or someone you love is to come out and to live your life as you were made to be. Find the right time and place. No holiday party with ego, alcohol, and rumors is the right place to come out. The holiday music in this podcast is performed by Jason and Demarco (http://www.jasonanddemarco.com) from their "The Spirit of Christmas" CD. | 12/1/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 11 – Guest Appearance On Outbeat Salon | Last month, Tony and I were guests on a local public radio station show called, "Outbeat Salon." This podcast is the show in its entirety. We had a blast to say the least. The show's hosts, Dianna and Sheridan, were both gracious and great fun to work with. Hey who knows, maybe some day I'll get my own show! Take a listen and enjoy. | 10/31/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 10 – The Best Friend I Never Knew | Ten years ago this month, the best friend I never knew was murdered in an incident that defined for the world the term "hate crime." On October 6, 1998, Matthew Shepard was abducted, beaten, and left to die by two men he never knew all because the two men assumed Matthew was gay. He died on October 12, 1998 with his family at his side. Matthew was a 21 year old college student with a dream of changing the world. Over the last ten years, his dream has become a reality in ways he could have never imagined. Matthew has changed countless lives, including my own, for the better. This podcast is dedicated to the best friend I never knew. Thanks Matt. You will always be in my heart and soul. | 10/1/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 9 – How To Come Out – Part 3 | This podcast contains a book review of "The Advocate College Guide For LGBT Students" and the last in a 3-part series on coming out at work. In this final piece, I talk about an email exchange between my good friend Mike and one of his own straight friends. Mike offers a great perspective on the "formal coming out" process and demonstrates the kind of attitude about being gay in law enforcement that I wish we all had. Wouldn't it be great if on National Coming Out Day, this October 11th, no one needed to come out... because they already are? The links mentioned in this podcast include: www.campuspride.org (http://www.campuspride.org) www.campusclimateindex.org (http://www.campusclimateindex.org) www.nvccjtc.org/text/Annoc - Hate Crimes Investigation Online2009.pdf (http://www.nvccjtc.org/text/Annoc - Hate Crimes Investigation Online2009.pdf) | 9/1/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 8 – How To Come Out – Part 2 | This podcast includes a new book review, comment about PG&E's support of same-sex marriage, and the second part in a series of discussions about how to come out. Author Greg Miraglia gives thought and advice how to come out in the law enforcement work place. He discusses why it is even necessary and important to come out. There are really only three choices, to lie, to come out, or to be completely unsociable and never discuss anything about you or your personal life while at work. How to come out to a co-worker is the focus of this podcast and, while there is no perfect way, there are some important considerations to think about after deciding to share this important part of your life with someone you work with. | 8/7/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 7 – How To Come Out – Part 1 | This podcast contains a new book review, information about the next edition of Coming Out From Behind the Badge, and the first in series of discussion about how to come out. Author Greg Miraglia gives advice about the first steps in the coming out process. Coming out is a process that doesn't start and then end. It begins by first coming out to yourself when you consciously determine your sexuality. There is so much we do not know about sexuality, but what we do know for sure is that it is not a "black or white, straight or gay" issue. We also know that 10% of the population identifies as being homosexual. Whatever you are, you likely know, and when you do, you will be ready to take the first step. The next step is deciding who to tell and who that first person will be. There is no rush and you are entitled to control the process at a pace that is most comfortable for you. The next part of this series will include a discussion about how to come out at work. | 7/13/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 6 – The California Supreme Court Ruling On The Right To Marry | As I was walking down the steps of the United States Supreme Court building yesterday, I received a text message telling me about the California Supreme Court’s ruling on same sex marriage. It felt so good after having just visited the place where liberty, equality, and justice for all is regularly defined for our country. Later that day, I downloaded the full text of the decision and began reading all 150 pages of the document (it made the 5 hour trip home more interesting). It felt so good to see the highest court in my home state affirm that I am indeed entitled to equal protection under the law and, in this case, am entitled to enjoy all of the joys of a marriage. I’m not sure vindication is the right word, but maybe validation is the best way to describe the feeling I had. When Tony and I were married in Canada almost two years ago, I remember both the joy and exclusion I felt. I returned to the United States from Canada feeling like a second class citizen. Here I was coming back from a foreign country that did recognize me as an equal to my own country with a Constitutional Amendment that says I’m equal, but that still did not allow me to marry person I love in my own home town. Separate, but equal isn’t equal. This time, when I got off the plane in Oakland, I felt happy to be home and proud of being a Californian. I felt like an equal and that the Constitution I believed in so much stood behind me and righted an injustice. Yes, I know there is an effort to reverse this decision, but I don’t see it really happening. I think the vast majority of people in California appreciate the same elements of equality and justice for all that I do. The religious zealots will continue to fight, but today’s decision doesn’t take away anything from anyone. It doesn’t really have anything to do with religion. It only extends equal opportunity as both our state and federal constitution require. It recognizes that the commitment any two people make to each other is worth the same thing. I commend Chief Justice Ronald George for his leadership and courage in writing this historic decision. As a family man with three children, Justice George obviously recognizes the value and dignity of marriage. He also clearly recognizes human dignity and true meaning of equality. My thanks to all of the Justices who saw this issue the same way. In this podcast, the author discusses the impact of the May 16, 2008 ruling by the California Supreme Court on same-sex marriage. | 7/4/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 5 – The Thick Blue Line Of Homophobia In Law Enforcement | This podcast is about the strong presence of homophobia in law enforcement and its damaging impact on gay and lesbian law enforcement officers. | 7/4/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 3 – Honesty and the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics | In this podcast, the author discusses how lying about sexual orientation can come into conflict with the oath a gay or lesbian peace officer takes to abide by the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics. | 7/4/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 2 – More Than A 5th Grade Interpretation Of The Bible | After watching "For The Bible Tells Me So," I could wait to share some thoughts about Christianity and sexual orientation. First of all, this documentary is excellent (you can find a link to purchase it on the website reading list). It talks about biblical interpretation and about how many church leaders have forgotten when and by who the Bible was written. Like some many aspects of the English language, the words and phrases in the Bible can be interpreted to mean many things, but should be properly interpreted by educated church leaders based on the time and place they were written. | 7/4/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Podcast 1 – Introduction to Coming Out From Behind The Badge | This podcast contains an introduction the book and a reading by the author. | 7/4/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 19 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Fantastic
I'm so glad that someone has the courage to deal with this openly and honestly. This is something that I wish more closeted officers had the courage to do.
Wow!
I am not a police officer, but I am a lesbian. I just started listing to your podcast and I must say it is wonderful. Keep up the good work and I plan to tune to hear more.
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