The mission of the Boston Police Department is Community Policing. The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community are a vibrant and dynamic part of Boston. The Boston Police Department actively seeks to understand the needs and concerns of the LGTBQ+ community. For over 25 years, Department has appointed a sworn member as the Liaison to the LGTBQ community, a traditionally marginalized community.
The purpose of the Liaison to the LGTBQ+ community is to build trust and strengthen the relationship between the LGTBQ+ community and the Department. By establishing an ongoing dialogue, the Liaison works directly with community members to address their concerns and service needs. The Liaison, in collaborations with community and advocacy groups, city agencies and law enforcement partners, works to identify issues, provide resources and develop public safety plans and community engagement projects.
The Liaison, in conjunction with advocacy and community groups, works to identify, update, and change Department policies and procedures that negatively impact the delivery of police services to the LGTBQ+ community. Additionally, the Liaison creates and facilitates cultural competency training for Department members in LGTBQ+ topics and issues in order to promote safe and welcoming environments for the LGTBQ+ community members.
If you are a LGBTQ+ victim of or witness to a crime, please report the incident to the police as soon as possible by CALLING 911. This will allow the Police Department to respond to, and statistically track, anti-LGBTQ+ incidents. The Boston Police Department can then deploy police officers and other resources to the area where these crimes are occurring.
Community members who are uncomfortable or anxious around the police are encouraged to contact the Liaison directly for assistance in reporting non-emergency incidents of crime, hate crime or requesting police services. ALWAYS CALL 911 FOR EMERGENCIES.
LGTBQ+ organizations willing to provide a service, act as a resource, engage on various reforms, or are interested in the Department’s participation in a meeting or forum are also encouraged to contact the Liaison directly at lgbtqliason@pd.boston.gov or at 617-343-5043.
For those who wish to remain anonymous. We have a Crime Stoppers Tip Line. Call 1-800-494-TIPS (8477) Mon. –Sat. (8am – Midnight), Sun. (12pm – 4pm) or Text 27463.
LAW ENFORCEMENT RESOURCES
Boston Police Civil Rights Unit
(617) 343-4527
Coordinates the Department\'s investigative and field response to bias-related incidents and crimes in which citizens' civil rights have been infringed upon by violence, threats or harassment.
Civil Rights Unit Brochure Download
Unites States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
https://www.justice.gov/usao-ma/civil-rights
Email: USAMA.CivilRights@usdoj.gov
(617-748-3100) and ask to speak to the Civil Rights Intake Specialist
The “End Hate Now” hotline
1-83-END-H8-NOW (1-833-634-8669)
Massachusetts Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division
(617) 963-2917
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-civil-rights-complaint
CITY OF BOSTON RESOURCES
City of Boston Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement
https://www.boston.gov/departments/lgbtq-advancement
Boston Human Rights Commission
hrc.staff@boston.gov
www.boston.gov/boston-human-rights-commission
Boston Public Schools
Office of Equity
2300 Washington Street - 5th FloorRoxbury, MA 02119
Phone: 617-635-9650
bpsequity@bostonpublicschools.org
www.bostonpublicschools.org/equity
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Greater Boston PFLAG
781-891-5966
info@gbpflag.org
Transgender Emergency Fund of MA INC
PO Box 220270
Boston, MA 02122-0013
774-243-4647
https://transemergencyfund.org/
Trevor Project
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/
Wellesley Hills, MA 02481
617-487-HBGC (4242)
HOTLINES/HELP LINES
Fenway LGBT Helpline (for adults 25+) 617-267-9001, Toll-Free 888-340-4528
Fenway Peer Listening line (25 and under) 617-267-2535, Toll-Free 800-399-PEER
LGBTQ National Youth
1-800-246-7743
Gay & Lesbian National Hotline
1-888-THE-GLNH (843-4564)
Trans Lifeline
A crisis hotline staffed by transgender people, for transgender people
1-877-565-8860
Trevor Lifeline
For young people in crisis or feeling suicidal
1-866-488-7386
HEALTH RESOURCES
Fenway Health
617-267-0900
information@fenwayhealth.org
www.fenwayhealth.org
AIDS Action Committee
75 Amory Street, Boston, MA 02119
617-437-6200
JRI Health/Boston GLASS Community Center
75 Armory St, Boston, MA 02110
Ismael Rivera
617-266-3349 x215
irivera@jri.org
Boston Health Care for the Homeless Transgender Program:
www.bhchp.org/specialized-services/transgender-program
LEGAL RESOURCES
GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates and Defenders)
617-426-1350
gladlaw@glad.org
MA Commission against Discrimination
617-994-6000
assistanttochairman@state.ma.us
Lambda Legal mission of The Trevor Project is incredibly important.
National Headquarters
120 Wall Street, 19th Floor
New York, NY 10005-3919
t 212-809-8585
f 212-809-0055 is intervention service, online community, and educational programs, the organization seeks to be both-affirming.
LGBTQ+ SAFETY TIPS
Walking
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Be aware of your surroundings.
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Try and walk in well-lit areas, with other people around.
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Walk in groups, or with others nearby.
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Don't display or count your money where others can see you.
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Conceal your technology (i-pads, cell phones, etc.).
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Be cautious when approached by strangers.
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If confronted by someone, try not to verbally engage with them. Drugs, alcohol, or mental illness may be driving their behaviors so your safest course is to disengage and not escalate the situation.
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If anyone attempts to rob you, either by threats or with a weapon, do not resist. It is not worth risking your life or physical injury for the amount of money you will lose.
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PLEASE NOTE: someone calling you a derogatory name is not a crime. It is a constitutionally protected free speech. If the comments are accompanied by threats, threatening behavior, or physical harm, it then becomes a crime.
Driving
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Practice defensive driving
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Don't compete with other drivers
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Don't engage in insults and/or gestures with other drivers
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Keep your distance from aggressive drivers
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Report aggressive driving to 911
Partying
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When leaving a party or a bar, travel in groups. Criminals will focus on lone pedestrians.
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Don't get in strangers’ cars.
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Call a cab, sober friend or family member to take you home. OUIs are dangerous to everyone, and they cost a lot of money.
Meeting People Online or through Dating Apps
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If you meet someone, tell your friends where you're going and describe the person you're with.
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Don't volunteer any of your personal information (date of birth, address, etc.).
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Meet your date in a public place.
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Try to find out as much about your date as possible.
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If practical, record your date's vehicle description and license plate number.
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Save all of your e-mails and texts from the person you're meeting.
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If your date is making you uncomfortable, don't worry about politeness. LEAVE!
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If your date begins to stalk or harass you, tell them clearly to stop. If they don't, call 911.
Thank you to the Baltimore Police Department for these safety tips.