It is no secret that the public workforce, specifically public law enforcement agencies, look very different than they did just a few decades ago. Law enforcement today prides them selves on being diverse, ethno-racially, in gender, and in age. There is another aspect of diversity that is becoming more and more prevalent within the police force, one that has been historically kept in the closet. There is a growing acceptance of gay and lesbian police officers across the nation. Now, law enforcement agencies include a larger number of gay and lesbian cops than there has ever been before. As the ethno-racial diversity of urban communities changed, so did the diversity of the officers that policed those neighborhoods. As discussed in lecture by Professor Musheno, all in all, urban public law enforcement agencies are becoming more like the urban neighborhoods that they police. Similarly, it is possible that an increase in openly gay and lesbian citizens has led to an increase in openly gay and lesbian officers, the officers merely a reflection of the new population being served. If not a new population, then possibly due to the growing support for same-sex marriage in America, which has risen from 33% (2003) in favor, to now 49% (2013) in favor. This shift in attitude can be attributed to what the Pew Research Center calls "Millenials", people born after 1980 (ages 18-32). A staggering 70% of "Millenials" today are in favor of same-sex marriage and they make up the larger share (27%) of the adult population in the U.S. today. In 2003, they made up just 9% of the population. This long-term shift in attitude may be one of the reasons why public law enforcement agencies today are far more accepting of gay and lesbian officers than the agencies that policed our parents and grandparents.
You could say that historically our nation hasn’t been the most accepting to gays and lesbians. There are different stereotypes associated with being gay or lesbian that have made it very difficult for that population to assimilate into mainstream society without being discriminated against. There is nothing different about the public law enforcement agency and its gradual, but progressive assimilation of gay and lesbian officers. The police force is a predominately masculine environment. Gay men, who are stereotypically viewed as soft, feminine, weak beings are considered a threat to masculinity. On the contrary, lesbian women, who are stereotypically viewed as strong, tough, stoic beings are NOT a threat to law enforcement agencies because their public image conform and compliment, rather than jeopardize the masculine environment that the cops have created. The fact of the matter is, all gays are not behaviorally synonymous to one another and similarly, all lesbian women are not butch and tough. It is therefore incorrect to assess the capabilities gay and lesbian officers using stereotypical generalizations.
Law enforcement requires a very unique blend of skills ranging from the toughest of characteristics to the softest, empathetic traits. These skills can be expressed by anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. With the growing acceptance of gay and lesbian officers within public law enforcement, also finally blossoming is the refreshing idea that gay and lesbian officers are as capable and competent as other police officers serving their respective communities. Not only that, but a lot of agencies have now created support organizations for gay and lesbian officers and special projects, like the “You Can Be Anything Project”, that encourage gay and lesbians to pursue careers in whatever they please to do, including public law enforcement.
Sources:
Gallup Polls: Same-Sex Marriage
Insidediscoverpolicing.org
www.people-press.org
Law enforcement requires a very unique blend of skills ranging from the toughest of characteristics to the softest, empathetic traits. These skills can be expressed by anyone, regardless of sexual orientation. With the growing acceptance of gay and lesbian officers within public law enforcement, also finally blossoming is the refreshing idea that gay and lesbian officers are as capable and competent as other police officers serving their respective communities. Not only that, but a lot of agencies have now created support organizations for gay and lesbian officers and special projects, like the “You Can Be Anything Project”, that encourage gay and lesbians to pursue careers in whatever they please to do, including public law enforcement.
Sources:
Gallup Polls: Same-Sex Marriage
Insidediscoverpolicing.org
www.people-press.org
Tiarra, You build out from my brief discussion of the evolution of gay and lesbian police officers, offering very plausible reasons for their seeking these careers and most particularly, their winning acceptance in the ranks. You also add to my point about the difference in receptivity to lesbian vs. gay male officers.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy how you focused on the stereotypes of gay men and lesbian women and expressed that it is incorrect to make assumptions about their behavioral characteristics based on sexual orientation. It is disappointing to think that society has not evolved enough to the point where we are comfortable with people of any sexual orientation to become police officers. Masculinity seems to be a trait that people are focused on when it comes to thinking about police officers. I think that emotional strength is required to be an effective police officer, and expressing emotions and masculinity are not two concepts that go hand in hand. Masculinity seems to be something that is a physical trait, and it is obvious that in the law enforcement field, more than physical traits matter. Police officers must have mental as well as physical strength to be effective in their work.
ReplyDeleteErica Au