Oral history interview with Pedro L. Velásquez, 1992
Abstract
b. Puerto Rico, childhood, first homosexual experience, University of Puerto Rico; immigrated to New York City, 1984, various jobs; police academy, July 1984-December 1985, language difficulties; assignment to transit police, coming out on the job, developing gay pride, fear of coming out; violence within New York Police Department (NYPD), outside homophobia, increase in homophobia among police aft er gay actions (ACT UP), police attitude towards gay civilians, benefits of being a police officer, treating people nicely; Gay Officers Action League (GOAL), first encounters with, fear within members, defense of gay cops against discrimination; marching in Puerto Rican Day Parade, run for city council, 1991; effect of AIDS on GOAL, expansion of GOAL
Gay police officers--New York (State); Police--New York (State); Gay rights--New York (State); Discrimination in law enforcement--United States; Velásquez, Pedro L; Gay Officers Action League (New York, N.Y.); New York (N.Y.). Police Department