The Difficult Relationship between Law Enforcement & the LGBTQ+ Community & an Officer’s Fight for Justice

The LGBTQ community has a complicated relationship with law enforcement. Without a doubt there has been and still is serious prejudice, profiling, and abuse by peace officers towards LGBTQ+ persons, as well as other minority groups. The number seems to be worsened as the number of minority groups with which a person identifies increases. As a community, we can often be in a difficult situation—tell the police your issue to protect your safety at the risk that you may be unsafe in doing so.

We often forget the number of officers fighting to keep our community safe who are LGBTQ+ themselves. While they may be in a place of power and privilege given their job, they not only are subject to the vulnerabilities of being “out” in the community but in a workplace filled with masculine, heteronorminative, and conservative values. While all precincts claim to be inclusive and discrimination-free environments, this is hardly ever true, no matter how much leadership would like it to be.

This was the case for former Officer Jay Brome. He was a California State Highway Patrol officer who was subject to numerous derogatory comments, gestures, and actions that not only targeted him in workplace banter, but put his life in physical danger.

This decades-long issue spanned the training academy and offices in three different counties, including San Francisco. Officer Brome chose to begin in the SF office because he thought it would be a safe space. Unfortunately, he found that not to be true. He was bullied, harassed and attacked by fellow officers.

For years, he brought this up to leadership to no avail. He was passed up for promotions and even was refused back-up in emergency situations.

All this led to him experiencing headaches, muscle pain, stomach issues, anxiety and stress, and suicidal thoughts. This caused his doctor to determine he should go on leave in 2015.

Since then, he fought this injustice in court. It took him multiple lawyers, cases, and appeals, but he finally got a favorable decision. In January 2020, he won his appeal, allowing him to proceed with his lawsuit against the California Highway Patrol and present his case before a jury.

Officer Brome is not alone. Many other officers file claims each year with their respective leadership, but most don’t get past the point of moving into a legal battle. In fact, that year only 11 similar cases were filed in California.

We cannot deny the long history of tension between the police and the LGBTQ+ community. There is much work to be done to repair this relationship. Ultimately, a stronger police and community relationship, fueled by officers who earn the trust of the community and a community that feels safe engaging with the police, makes us all safer. Some police forces are beginning to instill inclusive training for new cadets and seasoned officers. This is an amazing first step to begin to address this issue, but this culture of prejudice has pervaded many police departments across this country.

For the sake of LGBTQ+ officers like Jay Brome and all the queer community members, it is pivotal and clear, we must continue to improve this relationship as even if every officer was to become magically woke overnight, it wouldn’t and couldn’t alleviate the fear that has perpetuated the community for decades.

Until then, we must take solace in a justice system (which we know has its own faults and issues), speak out against injustices, applaud those seeking to make a difference within law enforcement and pave the way for brave advocates who continue to break down barriers and fight for the rights, protection, and safety of all.

Stay tuned to Club MORE News for updates on this and similar cases as news develops.