NEW YORK CITY - July 31, 1995
As transphobic media attention continued to escalate surrounding Hoboken Police Lt. Janet Aiello, a decorated and distinguished 24 year veteran, transgendered police officers and firefighters from around the country rallied to her side.
Underscoring that Lt. Aiello is neither special in her transexuality, nor in her years of devoted public service, Florida Deputy Sheriff Thomas Hawk (a 7-year veteran), SFPD Sgt. Stephan Thorn (an 8-year veteran), Santa Cruz Reserve Dep. Sheriff Melinda Whiteway (a 9 year veteran), and Los Angeles Fire Dept. Capt. Michelle Kammerer (a 26-year veteran), all joined together with Lt. Aiello today to announce the founding of TOPS!, "Transgendered Officers Protect & Serve!", a nationwide organization to support and network transgendered peace officers.
Declared Lt. Aiello, "This isn't a 'transgender' thing, or even a 'transsexual' thing; it's about the first black cop on an all white force, the first female cop on an all male force, or the first lesbian or gay cop on an all straight force. It's about the courage anyone must have to struggle against prejudice and discrimination, and still go out every morning and put your life on the line." Continued Lt. Aiello, "When someone calls for help, what does it make what my gender is? I've been shot at and decorated: I'm going to give you the same help and assistance no matter what."
Her sentiments were echoed by founding member, Dep. Sheriff Hawk, who stated, "We hope that once word about TOPS! gets out, no transgendered peace officer anywhere will ever again face the kind media transphobia Lt. Aiello has, without the support and fellowship of brother officers. Our job is to serve and protect; TOPS! will help us get on with that job."
Declared Fire Capt. Kammerer, "It has nothing to do with anyone's orientation or sex: The bottom line is job performance."
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