GLOV Rain Check
Group postpones forum, moves ahead on new co-chairs
Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence’s (GLOV) planned open-house forum to air LGBT community concerns about the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), slated for Feb. 3, has been postponed.
”It was a mistake for it to have even been announced,” says Chris Farris, GLOV’s co-chair, adding that it will be rescheduled sometime in the near future. ”One of the goals of GLOV is to make sure we’re in touch with the community. We haven’t done [a forum] in a while, so it was just an opportunity to hear concerns, talk about what we’re doing, hopefully have some of the new GLLU (Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit) members come and talk, and really just have an open forum on what GLOV is up to and what our goals are.”
The GLLU, a unit of the MPD, has been a point of contention between the LGBT community and the police. While an award-winning concept in its original form, MPD Chief Cathy Lanier has taken strong criticism for her efforts to re-organize the unit.
David Mariner, president of The Center, the area’s LGBT community center, of which GLOV is a program, plans to attend the forum, whatever new date is announced.
”I think at this point there’s strong consensus that the GLLU, as it’s been reconstituted, is not functioning well. At this point, it’s a question of whether or not we accept that,” Mariner says.
”The community has been pretty vocal up to this point. There was the collective letter that several organizations signed onto. This is an opportunity for us to organize and to decide if we’re satisfied with the response to date.”
Though the forum has been postponed, GLOV will meet Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7 p.m., at The Center, for its regular monthly meeting. Farris says GLOV members will select new co-chairs to head the organization, replacing Todd Metrokin and himself. Neither is seeking re-appointment.
”I’m hoping it will give [GLOV] a chance to continue to grow,” Farris says of stepping down. ”I think it’s really important in these community organizations to have change, to constantly bring in fresh ideas. I will remain very much involved, I just think it’s important to constantly rotate. I’m happy about it.”
GLOV meets at 7 p.m., Jan. 28, at The Center, 1810 14th St. NW.
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