The Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office appointed its first LGBT liaisons this month.
Deputy Sheriff Dante Austin will work with law-enforcement officials, and John Hodges will handle issues with human resources and civilian employees.
A three-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, Austin is a member of the Greater Philadelphia Gay Officer Action League, a fraternal organization for LGBT law-enforcement officials. Hodges is also a member of the LGBT community. He started with the city two years ago, and works as a departmental payroll clerk in the sheriff’s office.
“We have two people who are engaged and willing to assist us in treating people fairly,” said Sheriff Jewell Williams at the second-annual raising of the trans Prideflag June 9 outside Philadelphia City Hall. “Philadelphia is everybody’s community … We embrace Philadelphia’s tradition as a city of brotherly love and sisterly affection.”
Austin and Hodges were also there. It was the first time the LGBT liaisons made an appearance in their official capacity. Austin plans to walk in the Pride parade June 12 with Williams by his side.
Williams said Austin has been vocal about LGBT advocacy since he joined the office. He added it made sense to create a formal LGBT liaison position because Austin stepped up with a willingness to be involved.
“When I take this badge and this gun off, I’m still gay,” Austin said. “I’ve been a member of the LGBT community forever. I’ve been a member of the law-enforcement community for three years. They’re both very important to me. I really want to help bridge that gap.”
Williams said gay and transgender people should not be condemned, but embraced, especially by those in law enforcement.
“We come in contact with people from all over the state, inmates and people coming into court,” he said. “We just want to treat people fair.”
Williams said Austin would oversee LGBT concerns in how inmates get transported, how they get searched and how they get put in certain cells, among other things. Austin will also work with his colleagues on dealing with LGBT people in an affirming way.
Hodges will handle concerns that LGBT employees may have in the sheriff’s office, including cultural competency in the workplace.
Nellie Fitzpatrick, director of the city Office of LGBT Affairs, is working with Austin to train officials from the sheriff’s office on LGBT sensitivity in advance of the Democratic National Convention in July. Williams said the office will pay particular attention to getting officers ready to deal sensitively with any demonstrators at the convention.
“There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff that happens,” Austin said. “We’re not here to reprimand or discipline people. It’s really just to educate them and help everybody understand.”