Los Angeles

Gay & Lesbian Police Advisory Task Force



Gay & Lesbian Cultural Awareness Training

for

Law Enforcement


Curriculum


Written by: Chuck Stewart, Ph.D.

To send me email, click here - ckstewar@sbcglogal.net.
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Copyright ©1992, Revised 1995©

Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Police Advisory Task Force

P.O. Box 93115, Los Angeles, CA 90092, (213) 871-5861




Acknowledgments

September 1995 Revision

This revision of the original 1992 curriculum represents major inclusions of proven activities and updated reference materials. Hundreds of 4-hour workshops conducted at the Los Angeles Police Academy and many other academies in Southern California helped refine this curriculum such that psychometric assessments prove the effectiveness of the training toward reducing homophobia. The primary changes include a complete revision of Topic 3 where content on psychological, biological, economic, and cultural perspectives has been updated to reflect a more holistic view of human sexuality. The historical origins of the persecution of women in Nazi Germany and their Black Triangle patch is included in Topic 1. More data is presented in Topic 2 to show that child molestation is almost exclusively a phenomenon of heterosexual males toward female children of their acquaintance. The historical figures of Topic 2 is more inclusive and documents many controversial figures such as Abraham Lincoln. Besides the general updating of all sections including resources and sodomy laws, a major new subsection Topic 10 has been included that presents information specifically aimed at Supervisors and Managers.

Thanks to the Co-Chairs of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Police Advisory Task Force Sandra Farrington-Domingue and John Ferry and to all its members. Many thanks to Chuck Stewart, Ph.D., writer of this curriculum and educational researcher. His time and dedication to this task has been remarkable and the gay and lesbian community is forever in his debt.

We are grateful to Christopher Street West Association which provided the initial grant used to fund the original development of this curriculum and to Peter Nardi, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at Pitzer College, who helped with insightful suggestions.

Thanks to the men and women, straight and gay of the Los Angeles Police Department, who risk their lives on a daily basis to protect and serve all the people in Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Police Advisory Task Force
P.O. Box 931135, Los Angeles, CA 90092
(213) 871-5861



Authorization

All rights reserved. No parts of this curriculum may be reproduced without authorization from the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Police Advisory Task Force. Copyright ©

In a project of this size, errors and typographical mistakes are likely. If you have any suggestions, corrections, or additions, please contact us at the above address.





INTRODUCTION


MISSION "The Los Angeles Police Advisory Task Force's mission is to open a dialogue between the police and the gay/lesbian/bisexual communitya dialogue that will lead to an increased understanding of each other's needs. Recruit training sessions on gay/lesbian/bisexual issues are intended to improve officer effectiveness during investigations, crowd control and inter-officer relations. Historically there has been antagonism between the police and the gay/lesbian/bisexual community. Also, the fear of homosexuality within the police force has cost some officers their careers. As such, the Task Force's goal is to improve an officer's communication skills with all members of society, to help officers understand the Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual (LGB) issues while in the field, and to make it safe for gay/lesbian/bisexual officers to be open about themselves on the job."

Why should Gay / Lesbian / Bisexual issues be taught?
Often the value of sensitivity training is questioned by police recruits and officers. Most officers when asked how they should treat someone will usually respond by saying, "I treat everyone the same. It doesn't matter to me if they are gay or straight or women or black or purple with three eyes, I treat everyone the same." Officers with this kind of attitude are not only deceiving themselves, but are probably not very effective on the job. The effectiveness of officers is directly related to how well they communicate with the community they work in and how well they communicate with their fellow officers. For example, while interviewing witnesses it is best to make people feel "safe" in sharing what they know. This requires officers to be aware of the needs of people so as to solicit their cooperation. If officers refer to people as "fags" or "dykes" the witnesses are likely to "clam up" and not give complete helpful information. This may result in officers looking incompetent when subsequent investigators discover more information that was readily available from the witnesses.

This curriculum is designed to be more than an exercise to placate the political power of a particular minority. Instead, this curriculum seeks to give the kinds of information needed to improve officer effectiveness. Also, this curriculum seeks to change behaviors and attitudes within the police force itself, to make all officers including the gay/lesbian/bisexual officer feel part of the team. It is sometimes presented that cultural awareness training does not intend to change participants values only their behaviors; however, the fields of psychology and persuasion theory confirm that it is impossible to change only one dimension. Values and behaviors change concurrently and reinforce that change. Effective training on gays, lesbians, bisexuals precipitates changes in values and behaviors that are gay affirming.


USE OF THIS CURRICULUM

This curriculum guide is divided into five sectionsInstructional Planning, Curriculum, Assessment, Student Handout, and Appendix.

The Instructional Planning section is designed to help instructors to structure their own training program. In its entirety, this Curriculum takes approximately 3 1/2 hours to present. The Instructional Planning section suggests alternatives to the entire curriculum that can accommodate shorter programs, yet maintain overall effectiveness.

Within the Curriculum section, eleven different topics dealing with sexual orientation and its applicability to law enforcement practices and personnel are discussed. Each topic is self-contained providing the instructor with the materials needed for presentation Objectives, Vocabulary, Teaching Strategies, Content Summary, Activities, and Discussion Questions. Much of the information is in an easy-to-read format, applicable for duplication and distribution to the student. Also, the charts, tables and graphics are designed for transfer onto overhead transparencies.

Included for the instructor is a multiple-choice test that can be used as an assessment device. The Assessment section contains one test that can be used as a pre- and post- test with answer key. Besides the test, the instructor should use other informal assessment practices. Also a Class Evaluation Questionnaire is provided for feedback from the students about the class. And hopefully, a longitudinal study will be conducted by the police department to measure the effectiveness of this training by comparing over time, complaints filed against officers based on sexual orientation harassment.

At the end of the curriculum is a comprehensive Appendix section that provides the instructor with all content, readings and articles that can be used in the curriculum and additional sources of books, magazines, movies and videos that may be helpful in the classroom. The Appendix could be reproduced into a small book for use by the instructor and student.

Note: Since research on these topics continues, data presented in the curriculum may require regular updating by the instructor.


Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION 1
MISSION 1
Why should Gay / Lesbian / Bisexual issues be taught? 1
USE OF THIS CURRICULUM 2

SECTION I INSTRUCTIONAL PLANNING 3
Curriculum 1 Hour Format 4
Curriculum 3 Hour Format 6

SECTION II CURRICULUM 9

Topic 1 History 10
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy
Topic 1 Content Summary History 11
Discussion Questions 12

Topic 2 Stereotypes 13
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy
Topic 2 Content Summary Stereotypes 14
Discussion Questions 14
Activity - "Stereotypes (Gay-Lesbian-Cop)" 15
Activity - "Same Boat" 16
Activity - "Famous Lesbian/Gays/Bisexuals" 17
Activity - "Gay Lifestyle" 20
Figure 1Lifestyle Chart 21

Topic 3 Demographics 22
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy
Topic 3 Content Summary Demographics 23
Discussion Questions 24
Activity - "Self-Awareness
Lesbians/Gay/Bisexual Stereotypes" 25

Topic 4 Points of Contact 27
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy
Topic 4 Content Summary Points of Contact 28
Discussion Questions 29
Activity - "Interview Contrast Exercise" 30

Topic 5 HIV/AIDS 34
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy
Topic 5 Content Summary HIV/AIDS 35
Discussion Questions 35
Activity - "AIDS Exponential Growth Exercise" 36

Topic 6 Youth 37
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy
Topic 6 Content Summary Youth 38
Discussion Questions 38
Activity "Project 10" or "Growing Up Gay" Video 39
Activity "Guided Fantasy" 40

Topic 7 Resources 44
Objective 44
Topic 8 Family/Relationships 45
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy

Topic 8 Content Summary Family/Relationships 46
Discussion Questions 46
Activity - "Shared Weekend Experience" 47
Activity - "Heterosexual Questionnaire" 48

Topic 9 Sexual Orientation Among People of Color 49
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy
Topic 9 Content Summary Sexual Orientation Among People of Color 50
Discussion Questions 50

Topic 10 Professional Conduct 51
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy
Topic 10 Content Summary Professional Conduct 52
Discussion Questions 52
Activity - "Gay Cops" Video 53
Activity - "Fear of Being Found Out" 54

Topic 11 Legal 55
Objective
Vocabulary
Teaching Strategy
Topic 11Content Summary Legal 56
Discussion Questions 56
Activity - "Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual Scenarios" 57

SECTION III ASSESSMENT 64
Pre- and Post- Test 65
Class Evaluation Questionnaire 68

SECTION IV STUDENT HANDOUT 69

APPENDIX

Topic 1 Definitions 1
Topic 1 Discrimination 4
Physical Attack 4
Judicial Discrimination 4
Employment Discrimination 5
Life-Style Discrimination 5
Topic 1 Homophobia 6
Topic 1 Chronology of United States Lesbian and Gay Movement 8
Topic 1 Pink / Black Triangle 11

Topic 2 Stereotypes 1
Child Molestation Stereotype 2
Topic 2 Historical Figures 3

Topic 3 Demographics 1
Who are gays, lesbians and bisexuals? 1
Economic Status of Lesbians and Gay Men 1
Response to Discrimination 2
Aspects of Sexual Identity 2
Origins 3
Incidence 3
Cultural/Historical Perspective 4
Conclusion 5
Figure 2Kinsey Rating Scale 7
Figure 3Sexual Behavior/Fantasies 8
Health Concerns 9
Drug and Alcohol Abuse 9
Topic 3 Biological Brain Research 11

Topic 4 Points of Contact 1
Introduction 1
Locations and Situations of Contact 2
A. Domestic Violence 2
B. Hate Crimes 3
C. "Lewd" Conduct 3
D. Activism and Civil Disobedience 3
E. Public Safety 4
F. Victims of Violence 4
G. Youth 5
H. Prostitution 5
I. Medical Emergencies 5
Topic 4 Hate Crimes 6
Incidence and Types 7
Enforcement of Hate Crime Laws 8
Roots of Hate Crimes 8
Victims and Witnesses 8
Solutions 9

Topic 5 HIV/AIDS 1
World Wide 1
Consequences for Law Enforcement Officers 1

Topic 6 Adolescent Issues 1
Topic 6 Adolescent Suicide 5

Topic 7 Resources--Organizations 1
Los Angeles / California Area Organizations 1
National Organizations 2
AIDS/HIV Support, Education, Advocacy 2
Archives / Libraries / History Projects 2
Business & Professional Associations 2
Education & Research 2
Ethnic & Nationality Resources & Publications 3
Family / Youth / Age-Related Resources 3
Legal Services & Resources 3
Military Resources 3
Political, Social & Support Movements 3
Directories, Bibliographies, Guides, Travel 3
Publications 3
Publishers 3
Religious Organizations & Publications 3

Topic 8 Family/Relationships 1
Parents, Families and Community 1
Lesbian Mothers 2

Topic 9 Minority Issues 1
Interview with Lester Wong and Lillian Gee 3

Topic 10 Police Concerns 1
ExampleHomophobia within Police Departments 1
ExampleDiscrimination against Lesbians and Gay Men within Police Departments 2
Reform Measures 2
Reform Process for the LAPD 2
Topic 10 Costs of Discrimination against Gays and Lesbians 4
Topic 10 Outing 6
Topic 10 Complaint Process 7
Misconduct 7
Disciplinary Procedures 7
Bystander Officers at Unauthorized Use of Force Incidents 8
Topic 10 Supervisors and Managers 9

Topic 11 Hate Crimes 1
Los Angeles Hate Crime Law 1
Topic 11 Sodomy Laws 3
TABLE 1Sodomy Statutes by States 4
Topic 11 Legal 9
20th Century U.S. History of the Interaction of Law Enforcement and the Gay and Lesbian Community 9
National Status on Homosexuality 10
California and Los AngelesLegal Prohibitions on Discrimination based on Sexual Orientation 10

RESOURCES 1
Gay and Lesbian Support Books 1
Autobiographies and Stories for Students 1
Books for Parents of Lesbians and Gays 2
Gay and Lesbian Support Videos 2
Gay and Lesbian Support Pamphlets 3
Professional Articles on Homosexuality 3
Suicide 3
Law Cases / Books 4
Education 4
Psychology 5
Lesbian/Feminist Perspective 8
Biology 8
Counseling 8
Adolescence 8
Minority Issues 8
AIDS 9
Politics 10


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Gay & Lesbian Cultural Awareness Training for Law Enforcement©