Gay Cops: Pride Behind the Badge (2003) User Reviews

Required viewing for police training

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 10 December 2016]

I approach writing a review on this documentary about LGBT police with a unique perspective. I did 23 years at New York State Crime Victims Board and part of that job was to evaluate police work with an eye toward giving victims due compensation under the law. I saw the full gamut of it from incidents of horrible prejudice and sloppiness to some really fine police work above and beyond.

Harvey Milk was one of the first who said that the value of coming out is to make sure that the straight majority know we are everywhere and proud of that fact. How much more so is that when dealing with law enforcement. In my personal and professional life I had a lot of both good and bad experiences dealing with law enforcement.

I have no doubt that the officers who tell their stories here have gone along way to making the police departments they work for more receptive to our issues and the victimization we've suffered, multiplied when we have to deal with police. My own current city of Buffalo is way behind in this endeavor. I see things here that were rare in New York as a matter of policy. That would be true of even the LGBT police in this city.

This review is dedicated to people like Officer Mark Caruso, the late Sam Ciccone who founded the New York City Gay Officers Action League and here in Buffalo to transgender pioneer officer Arey Moore whose very lives are an inspiration.

This film should be required viewing for police training by every law enforcement agency.

Thanks and Congratulations!

[joey367889 · 10/10 · 6 November 2006]

First of all, let me say that I was deeply moved by this program about our LGBT law enforcement members for your dedication, commitment and loyalty, as well as bravery and honesty about yourselves. You and our military brothers and sisters have my deepest heart-felt loyalty and love. I am ex-military and - part-time police augmantee during the Viet Nam War and into my second enlistment. I served twice, both times with honorable discharges. However, I never declared myself and for that I am sorry and ashamed. You, however, are far more honest that I was as a young man, gay and alone and afraid in the service,

On a very personal note, your feelings about 9/11 moved me even more, making me want to write a special "thank you", because I am a real 9/11 survivor. I was in the North Tower of the World Trade when flight #11 slammed into the building. I was in the basement. My job is directly across from the South Tower's former location. I was up 44 floors on the phone with my lover when the second plane crashed into the South Tower. It happened to fast, but I saw the towers with my own two eyes and some of the horrors of that day, as well. As a New Yorker who has been so close to Ground Zero for five years and seeing it almost every day I go to work, I can say with all my conviction that I praise all law enforcement, fire department and military personnel who risk their own safety and lives for us civilians. Your support of the NYPD makes me feel close to you and so; I salute you, my LGBT brothers and sisters, one and all and thank God for you. I know you will keep up your courage and commitment in keeping America safe! Thanks!

James Michael McDonald, USA Viet Nam Vet. 9/11 Survivor Best of all, partner 27 years and counting!