LGBT liaison officers or Gay and Lesbian Liaison Officers (GLLOs) are individuals who work within organisations as a point of contact. They build rapport and trust between an organisation and the communities they serve. LGBT liaison officers ensure that the LGBT community are receiving equitable and culturally competent service provision.[1][2] LGBT liaison officers also raise issues within organisations that may impact LGBT communities and play a significant advocacy role when developing policies, programs, and services.[3]
Police LGBT liaison programs
LGBT Liaison Officers have been appointed since at least 1962, when San Francisco Police Department appointed Elliott Blackstone as the United States' first liaison officer to the "homophile community". A pioneer of community policing, Blackstone worked within the police department to change policy and procedures directed against the LGBT community, such as entrapment of gay men in public restrooms.[citation needed]
Brian Bond: Former LGBT Liaison Officer for the White House.[11]
Bill Kraus: Former LGBT Liaison Officer for Congressman Phillip Burton. Successful in persuading Burton to publicly acknowledge the need for AIDS research.[12]