Continued from previous page

expense... and an opportunity to discuss the matter with counsel. The interest of the Patrol was strictly one of medical concern for all involved."

In March, 1986, Tpr. Godfrey's transfer came through. He has had subsequent minor problems, but he contends that overall, the majority of his co-workers accept him and continue to socialize with him offduty. "I knew there would be people who would like to see me go down, but that's the price you pay. I wouldn't change a thing I'd still come out." Godfrey agreed that "if it weren't for the gay rights movement, I would have had a harder road to follow."

The FOP's current contract with the State Highway Patrol contains a clause prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, while Executive Order 83-64 protects all state employees.

As a member of the Governor's Advisory Board, Rivera was able to assist Godfrey with his legal concerns. Godfrey gives her credit for keeping the incident out of court. "Rhonda helped a lot-she really did a great job. I hadn't known most of these [resources] were available to me, but I have that knowledge now. You know, I sent her flowers after the whole thing was over."

Rivera gives credit to Denihan for acting so quickly to resolve the issue on an administrative level, and she attributes Tpr. Godfrey's good fortune to the 1983 executive order. Without it, Rivera be-

Computer

lieves they would have had to take the matter to court at great expense to the state.

As a long-time activist for lesbian and gay rights in Ohio, Rivera has stressed the need to enact stronger legislation to protect lesbians and gays in the workplace. "What we need is a law. An executive order only applies through the governor's say-so. What you want is a state law like the ones in Wisconsin and Massachusetts. I've been working for it in Ohio for 14 years and have virtually gotten nowhere; mostly because most gay people think it's a great idea, but they're not willing to put the time and energy into a concentrated campaign. I've proposed three [campaigns] at various state conferences, showed people how to do it, but nobody ever followed through."

When asked what made Tpr. Godfrey's case successful, Rivera replied, “He followed through. He took advice and he followed it. He sought help the moment he had a problem So many people take whatever is given them and don't seek [help], or they wait until it's so long after the event that no one can do anything for them." Rivera estimates that she takes ten to fifteen job-discrimination referrals per week from Stonewall Union.

Now that the dust has settled, Tpr. Godfrey concerns himself with his job, home, and caring for his parents. He works out at a health club (memberships are provided for troopers by the Patrol), and he likes to go out with friends to relax. When he goes out, Godfrey is reluctant to tell anyone he meets for the first time that he's a trooper.

"So many gay people have had bad

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April, 1991 experiences with police officers in the past with harassment or trumped-up charges that I try not to tell people what I do. I just say I work for the state. I'd rather be liked for what I am than for what I do in my job. The people in our [local] gay community do know I'm a trooper, and there's no problem with that."

Community relations is one of Tpr. Godfrey's deepest concerns. Through meetings with groups like the Cortland FOP, Godfrey hopes to promote understanding between police departments and the lesbian and gay community. The response from the Cortland meeting was so positive that the president of the group invited Godfrey to join their lodge.

Godfrey supports women in police work and disagrees with those who think that being a state trooper is not a job for a woman. "The strong-arm approach to po-

Page 9

lice work of 35 years ago doesn't apply anymore. Communication and patience are stressed, and that really applies more to women. The Highway Patrol now actively recruits women and minorities."

His advice to fellow gay and lesbian police officers, or to anyone considering a career in law enforcement is to "Come out! Let them know. Then you can devote all your energy to the job. You can give it the maximum and not have anything bothering you while you're on the job, which could be dangerous. If you live your life in shrouded secrecy, worrying about what people will find out about you, you're going to be a miserable person who leads a sad life."

When asked what he thought has been the greatest thing he's gained from coming out, Tpr. Godfrey answered, "Peace of mind."

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