On Wednesday, June 28, a panel of law enforcement experts and advocates for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people will join a Pride Month webchat to discuss strategies to prevent violent crimes.
The panelists will outline best practices from the law enforcement agencies and civil society groups that respond to and work to prevent these crimes. Online viewers and audiences at watch parties around the world will be able to ask questions. Return to this page on June 28 at 10 a.m. EDT/14:00 UTC. The program will include Spanish interpretation.
LGBTI Pride Month affirms the fundamental freedoms of association and expression. These are values the United States champions and encourages around the world. Yet some LGBTI people continue to face violence or discrimination. Only when people are protected on the basis of equality can they can live with dignity in stable societies.
Why participate
- Hear from law enforcement and civil society representatives about threats and violence targeting LGBTI individuals.
- Learn best practices and strategies to prevent or respond to hate crimes.
- Share your perspectives on how to address discrimination in your community.
The panel
Beverly Tillery is director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, an organization that empowers LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities and allies to end violence through organizing and education and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy.
Most recently, Tillery was the deputy director of education and public affairs at Lambda Legal. There, she led national advocacy campaigns and community-based research projects aimed at changing policies as well as hearts and minds.
Brett Parson has been serving the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington for longer than two decades. He is assigned to the executive office of the chief of police, where he oversees the department’s Special Liaison Branch.
Parson is nationally and internationally recognized as a resource for investigations involving crimes by or against LGBTQ individuals. He has spoken in several countries on the subject of providing diverse policing and investigating hate/bias crimes.
Check back soon for additional panelists.
Moderator: Cory Andrews is the spokesman for the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. He previously served in the Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs, where his portfolio included LGBTI issues for Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada.
Andrews also served as the communications director for GLIFAA, the State Department’s LGBTI employee affinity group, from January 2011 to August 2013.
