Back Up Agenda Item 3_4th LGBTQI+ Conference for Criminal Justice Professional PTT for Joint Inclusion Committee 04.22.25 — original pdf

Backup

Presentation to Joint Inclusion Committee Lesbian & Gay Peace Officers Association - Austin 4th World LGBTQI+ Conference for Criminal Justice Professionals August 5-8, 2025 proudtobeyourfriend.org Lesbian and Gay Peace Officers Association-Austin • LGPOA founded 2009 • Service, Education, Protection • First and only of its kind in Texas • 171 active, over 65 associate members • Why did we form? • It was a different time in the early 2000’s • Lawrence V. Texas – 2003 • We’ve always been a part of Austin’s LGBTQIA+ community • Marched in Pride in uniform • It Gets Better Video (2012) (second police department in U.S. to do so) Lesbian and Gay Peace Officers Association-Austin • Murder of Monica Loera (January 22, 2016) • Brought community partners together to improve the relationship with the community • Department wide training • Policy changes • Public Information Office adopted GLAAD media model • Victim neutral affidavit • Search protocol • Change how we document in our reports • Training for every cadet class since 2016 • Engaging the transgender, gender non-conforming, gender non-binary, gender-fluid community • LGBTQIA+ intimate partner violence & sexual assault (first in Texas to do so) • Pulse Night Club Vigil on Fourth Street (June 13, 2016) City of Austin – Trans Inclusive Benefits Lesbian and Gay Peace Officers Association-Austin • First Pride car in Texas (2016) • I Am Like You Campaign (2018) • Attack of gay couple in downtown Austin (Hate Crime, January 23, 2019) • Officer Matthew Nonweiler’s relationship with bars helped solve case • Lauched SafePlace Program (August 7, 2019) • Pride patch (2021) – 1st in Texas; 1st in nation to use Progress Pride flag • Stop the Bleed Program (2023 & 2024) • Corporal Nonweiler & Detective Dawson 4th WORLD LGBTQI+ CONFERENCE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROFESSIONALS A one-of-a-kind conference For nearly a decade, this conference has provided a forum for LGBTQI+ criminal justice professionals, educators, and human rights advocates from all over the world to come together to discuss current challenges and meaningful solutions. This event provides valuable learning and networking opportunities, explores ideas for strengthening engagement with LGBTQI+ communities and building collaborations, and helps to identify strategies to ultimately lead to better policing practices and more inclusive agencies and communities. How/why did it come to Austin? The conference will help to Bridge the Gap between the LGBTQI+ community and the criminal justice profession so anyone, regardless of identify or orientation, feels safe and is treated with the dignity and the respect they deserve. Austin Pride Parade proudtobeyourfriend.org Texas State Capital Austin Police Department Questions?