Gays and Lesbians in the Criminal Justice System (From Multicultural Perspectives in Criminal Justice and Criminology, P 211-231, 1994, James E. Hendricks and Bryan Byers, eds. - See NCJ- 160016)

• NCJ Number: 160023
• Author(s): J S Arnott
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Charles C. Thomas
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This chapter examines the role that homosexuals and lesbians play in the criminal justice system, and the problems faced by homosexual and lesbian police officers.

Abstract

Many police officers and the general public share misconceptions about homosexuals and lesbians, i.e., that they are mentally abnormal, insignificant in number, a cultural group, and identified as inherently illegal groups. The chapter describes the life experiences of homosexual and lesbian police officers in several American cities. Police officers in general are as fearful of homosexuals and lesbians (homophobic) as any other segment of society. As a result of the stress of leading a double life, many homosexual and lesbian police officers are substance abusers, and the suicide rates among these groups is disproportionately high. To provide a better working environment for lesbian and homosexual officers, police departments need to develop a welcoming atmosphere, hold supervisors accountable for enforcing antidiscrimination policies, demonstrate commitment from administrators to achieve homosexual rights, and recruit and train homosexual and lesbian officers. 26 references