Police gone pink

The Toronto Police Service website has gone pink to mark the International Day of Pink against bullying, discrimination, homophobia and transphobia. Everyone is encouraged to wear pink on April 10 in an effort to show solidarity with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students. The International Day of Pink started when a Nova Scotia teen was bullied for wearing a pink shirt to school. His fellow students rallied – by all wearing pink – and showed their solidarity against LGBT-based discrimination. The Toronto Police Service, in partnership with the students at York Memorial Collegiate Institute, will celebrate International Day of Pink with the launch of an anti-bullying video produced by the Service. Chief Bill Blair, Service members, including members of the Toronto Police Service's LGBT Internal Support Network, as well as Toronto District School Board administrators, teachers and students, will be participating in the launch at 10 a.m. “I think it’s a proactive way to educate kids on bullying at an early age. It's in the best interest of the police to have our youth grow up knowing that it’s not cool to be a bully and, furthermore, that it won't be tolerated,” said Court Officer Josh Wilson, who co-chairs the LGBT-ISN with Const. Gail Steed. “Not only that, I think we have a duty as role models to make a positive impression every chance we get.” @MichaelMatic13 #TPS13 School Officers & Chief Blair Make a Difference! Pink Proud of SROs @dayofpink The co-chairs, along with LGBT liaison officer Const. Danielle Bottineau and Martin Blake, of the Video Services Unit produced the video. Wilson said the video has a broad message that bullying for any reason can’t be tolerated. “The overall message of the video is meant to speak to everyone who sees it, regardless of whether they identify as LGBT or not, anti-bullying is a message for everyone,” he said. The LGBT-ISN is one of six self-support networks designed to help specific, self-identified groups share information and experiences, and provide mentoring and guidance so that members can develop personally and professionally. The is posted on the Toronto Police Service's YouTube account and 1,000 DVD copies will be distributed to Toronto District School Board schools and Toronto Police School Resource Officers. The Toronto Police Services Board contributed $5,000 towards the campaign. “I am so impressed with the passion, honesty, and candour you see on the screen from our members, both uniform and civilian, of all ranks. It is so obvious that our members truly care,” Blake said. “This sincerity communicates well with the audience, and so aptly demonstrates the enormous dedication of the Toronto Police Service and our members to work with our communities towards social justice and reducing victimization every single day.” Source