An open request to DC Mayoral Candidates Vince Gray and Adrian Fenty

The MPD's Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit (GLLU) was formed in 2000 to help address the needs of the LGBT community and quickly became an acclaimed program and model for other states. In recent months, this nationally recognized unit has been reorganized into a less effective resource to both the community it seeks to protect and MPD. This, during a time of escalated violence against our community is not only a misappropriation of resources but potentially putting more lives at risk.

THE PROBLEM: In 2009, 85 percent of all bias-related crime in our city was against members of the LGBT community, roughly 5 times the National average when compared with similar statistics compiled by the FBI.

THE SOLUTION: While GLOV is working to address this complex issue, part of the solution must include robust and responsive policing. We have asked that the Mayor and the Chief of Police fully restore staffing of the GLLU to six full time officers and grant the officer in charge with direct reporting to Chief Lanier. READ OUR COMMUNITY LETTER TO MAYOR FENTY

1. DEMAND our candidates address our concerns and let them know you want the violence to stop. Ask them in public forums and call or write to them:

Mayor Adrian Fenty 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20004-3003 (202) 442-8150 mayor@dc.gov

Councilmember Vincent Gray 1350 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20004-3003 (202) 724-8032 vgray@dccouncil.us

Read Full List of Candidate Questions VINCE GRAY ADRIAN FENTY

2. SHARE with your friends and colleagues the seriousness of the issue of anti-LGBT violence in our community. CHANGE YOUR ONLINE PROFILE PICTURE TO THIS JPEG and include our link wherever you can. www.glovdc.org/restorethegllu

3. VOTE September 14, 2010 for the candidate who best answers our community's concerns.