Date: Sun, 29 Jan 1995 15:36:32 -0500 From: David B. O'Donnell Subject: GAY BASHING by LAPD to be investigated [ Send all responses to chagin@MINDSPRING.COM only. Any responses to the list or list-owners will be returned to you. ] AFTER READING THE STORY BELOW YOU CAN FAX YOUR COMMENTS TO LOS ANGELES POLICE CHIEF WILLIE L. WILLIAMS AT (213) 485-8861 ================================================================= COMPILED FROM WIRE SERVICE DISPATCHES Date: Fri, 27 Jan 1995 Gay Leaders Ask Investigation Into Alleged Harassment of Gay Man LOS ANGELES -- Leaders of the city's gay community urged the police department Friday to investigate a reported incident of officers harassing a suicidal, gay robbery victim. ``We have a message,'' said Lorri Jean, executive director of the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. ``We will not tolerate hate crimes being perpetrated against our people by the LAPD.'' The alleged incident was reported in a recent edition of the New York Times Magazine. Reporter Richard Rayner said he and a photographer on a police ride-along saw an officer verbally berate a homeless, 19-year-old gay robbery victim while seven other officers stood by doing nothing. Police Cmdr. Tim McBride said internal affairs investigators were looking into the incident. ``It is a very high priority and will be treated with immediate dispatch,'' he said. The American Civil Liberties Union, meanwhile, sent a letter to Police Chief Willie Williams and the Police Commission asking for investigations into seven other alleged anti-gay incidents detailed in the magazine. McBride said the ACLU letter had been received and the alleged incidents would be investigated. McBride said the LAPD has made efforts to improve relations with the gay and lesbian community. He said the department now provides sensitivity training for personnel at all levels -- from recruits to upper management. If the latest allegations are true, McBride said, the training program will have to be re-evaluated. S. CHRISTOPHER HAGIN | The Pledge of Allegance says: Atlanta 1996 | "With liberty and justice for ALL" chagin@mindspring.com | What part of ALL do you not understand? HATE IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE