doi:10.7916/d8-8xmd-z957Oral history interview with Pedro L. Velásquez, 1992Velásquez, Pedro Loral historiessound recordingssound recording - nonmusicalGay police officers--New York (State)Police--New York (State)Gay rights--New York (State)Discrimination in law enforcement--United StatesVelásquez, Pedro LGay Officers Action League (New York, N.Y.)New York (N.Y.). Police Departmentb. 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 after 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