Gloucester Township Police Recognize June As LGBT Month

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — The Gloucester Township Police Department recognizes June as LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Month, and encourages all students to visit its Family Resource Center and attend its Gathering Space. Gathering Space is a program that consists of group sessions for juveniles who simply wish to meet with a group of peers and a licensed social worker for discussion and support. The focus of the lessons is general human enrichment, community pride, anti-bullying, peer support development, and substance abuse awareness.

“LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect,” police said in a statement. “Let us, as community leaders and role models, set the example during this LGBT Pride month.”

The department also referenced its new Police Community Liaison Specialists, including LGBTQ Liaisons Officer Randy Pearce. Pearce already begun working with the Gay-Straight Alliance.

“It is important to understand that the role of these liaisons is not only to connect with members of the community, but perhaps as equally important they serve as integral members of our agency who help other members understand different cultures, languages, and orientations,” according to the police department.

Additionally, these officers will be participating in the high schools’ “Conversation with a COP Program” and the Freshmen Orientation Program. The goal is to help high school students understand that the Gloucester Township Police Department is ready and eager to serve all people.

For more information, email Officer Erica Marconi in Community Relations at EricaMarconi@gtpolice.com or call at 856-228-4011.

“Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is currently celebrated each year in the month of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots in Manhattan which was the tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States,” the police department said. “We celebrate this commemorative month is to recognize the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals have had on history nationally, internationally but most importantly locally.”

The attached image was provided by the Gloucester Township Police Department