abstract
| - The Gay Police Association (GPA) is a British police staff association with members in all 52 UK police forces. The GPA was founded in 1990 as LAGPA (Lesbian And Gay Police Association), and represents the needs and interests of gay and bisexual police officers and police staff in the United Kingdom. Much of the history regarding the formation of the Association can be found in "Coming Out Of The Blue" a (1993) book by former Metropolitan police officer and founding LAGPA member Marc Burke. The Association changed its name to Gay Police Association (GPA) following a vote of its membership in 2001. Its website is currently under major reconstruction although the Association does operate a 24 hour Action Line and email facility in order to contact any of the GPA National Executive Committee. [1] The GPA's objectives are to:
* Promote equal opportunities for gay and bisexual men and women in the police service
* Offer advice and support to gay and bisexual men and women in the police service and
* Improve relations between the police service and the wider gay community. One of GPA's achievements was persuading, in 2003, most Chief Constables to allow gay Police Officers to march in uniform in 'Gay Pride' marches. Traditionally, Police Officers have not been permitted to wear uniform on marches or demonstrations that might be controversial or in any way 'political', but most Chief Constables agreed that Pride was a legitimate celebration of LGBT life and culture and by participating in uniform, could demonstrate the diversity within modern day Police Forces. Gay policemen and women first marched in full uniform in the London Gay Pride March on 26 July 2003. At the time, the GPA issued the following press release: "The Gay Police Association, a staff association recognised by the Metropolitan Police Service, sought permission for officers to attend the Gay Pride march in uniform. It was decided that it would be acceptable for officers to do so, subject to some safeguards. The safeguards relate mainly to risks that may arise by having off duty officers in uniform at an event policed by officers wearing uniform. The safeguards deal with these risks". Now the police are joined by the other emergency services and members of the Armed Forces, in uniform.
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