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Atlanta Police to LGBT Youth: “It Gets Better.”

December 13th, 2012

Nearly two dozen openly gay Atlanta police officers want struggling lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender youth to know that “It Gets Better.” Jim Burress' report on APD's "It Gets Better" video.

The department’s video is part of a worldwide movement started two years ago as a way to support youth struggling with their sexuality.

“As a police force, we will stand up for you,” says Atlanta Police Chief George Turner in the open to the 10-minute piece. Turner, who is married with children and grandchildren, calls himself an ally of the LGBT community.

“We’re a couple, and we’re Atlanta police officers. And it gets better,” say a smiling SPO Brian Sharpe and Officer Daniel King, who appear together in the video.

King, 25, has been an APD officer for a year. He says like many gay youth, he knows what it’s like to struggle.

“Sometimes your situation might not get better, your living situation or your family situations—those things might take a long time to improve. And some of those things realistically might not get better. But you get better,” he says.

For Officer Dani Lee Harris, the video represents a department that–in her words–has gotten better.

Harris was the LGBT liaison three years ago when APD stormed a local gay bar, illegally detaining its patrons. The city paid millions to argue, and later settle, the case.

Harris says this video is evidence a lot’s changed, and credits current APD Chief George Turner for the shift.

“The atmosphere and culture always starts at the top. And I think because of our top, we have a great amount of officers that feel comfortable doing their job, but being out [as openly gay] as well.”

APD’s “It Gets Better” video joins a collection of more than 50,000—including submissions from police departments in New York, Seattle, Austin, San Francisco and Portland.