Out To Protect
In 2009 I created the Out To Protect Scholarship Program as a way to invest the proceeds from my book sales in future LGBTQ members of law enforcement. I realize the best way to change the culture of law enforcement is to increase the number of “out” LGBTQ people in the profession. Over the last ten years, the mission of Out To Protect has expanded to include providing professional development and awareness training for law enforcement with a goal of eliminating homophobia in the profession. I’m proud to be the founder and president of the board.
Matthew Shepard Foundation
Judy and Dennis Shepard created the Matthew Shepard Foundation immediately after their oldest son, Matthew Shepard, was murdered in 1998 in Laramie, Wyoming. The mission of this Foundation is to replace hate with understanding, compassion and acceptance. The work of the Foundation lead to the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009. This Act expanded Federal Hate Crimes law to include sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Today, the Foundation is providing training to law enforcement agencies across the country on how to detect, document, and prosecute hate crimes.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation has been an integral part of my life since I first met Judy Shepard in 2000. It is an honor for me to serve as vice-president of the board of directors for this national Foundation.
National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund
The National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund operates the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum in Washington D.C. The memorial was dedicated in 1991 and honors more than 24,000 law enforcement officers from the United States who died in the line of duty. The memorial is at the heart of the annual Police Week celebration that was started by President Kennedy in 1962.
In 2018, the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund opened the National Law Enforcement Museum across the street from the memorial. The museum tells the story of law enforcement in the United States and offers many interactive exhibits. It’s really impressive! In addition, the museum produces programming on various law enforcement topics including leadership, wellness, and history. In 2023, I had the honor of working with the museum staff to create an LGBTQ+ in law enforcement history exhibit and facilitated a panel discussion about LGBTQ+ law enforcement history. I am also proud to have been appointed as an Ambassador for the National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.
KRCB North Bay Public Media
There are many public broadcasting stations in the country, but few that have been so dedicated to supporting the LGBT community for a long and as widely as North Bay Public Media KRCB. PBS stations are non-profit organizations that stay free from corporate interests and influence. For over 20 years, KRCB has provided an LGBT radio program that informs, shares, and makes visible the traditionally hidden LGBT community. Sonoma County has one of the highest populations of LGBT people per capita, so it only makes sense that a PBS community station like KRCB would be a provider of LGBT programming.
I’m honored to produce and host two LGBT news radio programs including the weekly Outbeat News segment, airing on Sunday nights, Monday mornings, and Monday afternoons, and the hour-long Outbeat News In Depth program that airs on the 4th Sunday of each month.
Gilbert Baker Foundation
In 1978, then San Francisco resident and artist Gilbert Baker created the Rainbow Pride Flag as a symbol for the LGBTQ+ community. He defined each of the 8 colors in the original design of the flag to represent elements that exist in all people – in all identities within LGBTQ+ people. This original flag and the 6-color version that followed is the most inclusive Pride Flag of them all. It has become a powerful symbol and one that is under attack. The Gilbert Baker Foundation works to fight this oppression and to preserve the visibility of LGBTQ+ people and the flag.
The Flag in the Map exhibit is one I had the privilege to host at Napa Valley College in 2023. It shows the power of the Pride Flag throughout the world. I am proud to support the Gilbert Baker Foundation and the important work they are doing.
GLBT Historical Society
“Since 1985, the GLBT Historical Society has been committed to preserving and sharing LGBTQ history.” They have more than 1000 collections and host more than 26,000 people every year at the GLBT Museum on 18th Street in the Castro neighborhood of San Francisco. The GLBT Museum has hosted students from my police academy classes and LGBT studies classes for more than 15 years. Students get to actually see artifacts from the history we discuss in class. It’s a remarkable opportunity to learn.
The GLBT Historical Society’s museum is unique. There is a strong need and desire to find a larger and more permanent space to host the preservation of our history.
Making Gay History
One of the first books I read after coming out was written by Eric Marcus. His book “Is It A Choice” is a great read for any parent or ally who wants to understand what being gay really means. Eric is also an accomplished LGBTQ historian. He recorded hundreds of interviews of LGBTQ+ icons who have shaped our collective history. After recording these interviews in a series of history books, Eric created the Making Gay History website where you can listen to these interviews. You can actually hear the voices of these incredible icons. I use these interviews in my classes and believe what Eric has created is an invaluable resource for our community.
Face to Face
When the AIDS pandemic struck in 1981, one of the early organizations to form and respond with care was Face to Face in Sonoma County. I became a volunteer there in 2018 after completing a state certified HIV test counselor training program (one of the most incredible and challenging training programs I’ve ever taken). I saw firsthand the value of prevention, education, and care provided by Face to Face. I’m excited to be continuing work with them now as a new partner with the Pride Center at Napa Valley College. They are providing sexual health information and extending services for our students.
Friends of New Technology High School
I’ve been teaching college classes at New Technology High School in Napa for more than a decade. Last year I started teaching classes during the regular school day as part of a new Early College Program. High school students have the opportunity to earn a two-year degree by the time they graduate from New Tech. I really believe in this school and what it is doing to give students a head start with college. I joined the Friends of New Technology High School (FONT) board in order to bring more attention to the amazing opportunities for students that New Technology High School offers. The FONT raises money to pay for supplies, equipment, and educational trips for students.
https://sites.google.com/view/friends-of-new-tech/home
Join Me
There are many worthy non-profit organizations operating in the United States that deserve your contributions. I wish I could give to every organization doing work that I believe in and that share my values. I’ve chosen these organizations as the ones I believe in most and will support them with my time and money. I hope you will join me by discovering your passion, perhaps in one of these organizations, or in another worthy of your precious time and hard-earned money.
I also choose to avoid contributing to or doing business with organizations and businesses that don’t share my values especially those who don’t stand up for equality or who have done so only when the politics are favorable for their image and gain.