Mayor Fenty and Chief Lanier Meet with GLOV

Written by DCist Contributor Shauna Miller

D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty and Police Chief Cathy Lanier met with the Co-Chairs of GLOV (Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence) today to discuss solutions to the problem of anti-LGBT violence in the District. The meeting follows a string of recent incidents, including the death of Tony Hunter after an attack in Shaw in September. GLOV re-formed shortly following Hunter's death.

A statement released by GLOV today said the Mayor agreed to comply with existing city law requiring the submission of an annual hate crimes report to the D.C. Council. The Mayor also agreed that measurable goals should be set to reduce LGBT harassment in D.C. public schools, and said he would revisit previous proposals by SMYAL (Sexual Minority Youth Assistance League) on the subject.

GLOV Co-Chair Chris Farris said Fenty "would not commit to making a public statement acknowledging and condemning the violence," but that he "invited us to continue to send concrete requests his administration can act on to him directly."

Farris said Chief Lanier was receptive to GLOV's recommendations, sharing a plan to expand the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit program by maintaining the division's central office, but allowing gay and lesbian officers to serve as liaisons within their own precincts.