Police in Sweden are set to welcome a British ‘Ambassador for Trans Progression’ in policing for tips on promoting transgender visibility in the workplace as part of their LGBT Pride celebrations.
Former chairman of Britain’s National Trans+ Police Association, Bee Bailey, will speak at the Swedish capital’s EuroPride 2018 festival on Friday in a policing seminar on transgender rights in the workplace.
Fearing “being featured in the media or losing my job”, the officer kept his transgender identity quiet upon starting work at Gloucestershire Police in 2000, according to a Swedish press release about the event.
#europride2018 #cityhallstockholmsweden reception at the beautiful city hall with the Mayor of Stockholm & Ambassador of Canada. Really touched & glad to know the Ambassador is now #mayIask briefed.. Never underestimate its usefulness for transitioning in the work place #trans pic.twitter.com/5gV65x2BL1
— Bee Bailey NTPA/EGPA (@bee_baileys) August 2, 2018
“I often say that I was a law enforcement superhero during the day and then a princess at night,” joked Bailey. “But there is no reason why being an open trans person in the police should cause any problems.”
Since going public on the topic in 2004 and securing a sex change, the activist has helped shape British policy regarding transgenderism in the workplace and now works as a ‘trans ambassador’ at the European LGBT Police Association.
Ulf Johansson, regional police chief for the Stockholm area, commented: “For me, Pride is a brilliant event which evidences the fact everyone is of equal value. We cannot afford to be complacent, however, and must all continue the eternal struggle towards equality.”
Expressing his belief the force is “on the right track” with regards to LGBT rights, he said Stockholm Police have “worked hard on the topic of diversity”, and that “there is a high level of competence” 0n the issue.
Sweden Set to Open Nation’s First ‘LGBT-Certified’ Sports Stadium https://t.co/aZvE2BwvcR
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) June 28, 2018
“But learning is an ongoing process and therefore the quest for learning can never stop if we are to understand the challenges faced,” he added.
In a statement last month on police participation in LGBT-promoting events, policing involvement in Pride coordinator for Stockholm and Gothenburg, Isabelle Björnsson, said it is important that sexual minorities know they have the support of authorities.
“The EuroPride Festival gives us the opportunity to show that we stand up for everyone’s equal value, and that we believe diversity is good and important,” she said.
Earlier this year Breitbart London reported how police officers in Britain were being trained to the “highest level” of understanding on LGBT issues, with forces hiring dedicated teams of “hate crime advocates” to educate the workforce on the policing “needs” of sexual minorities.
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