DC Mayor, Police Chief Meet with GLOV

According to a press release sent to TNG late last week, members of DC's Gay and Lesbians Opposing Violence, or GLOV, met with Mayor Fenty and Police Chief Lanier to discuss LGBT issues on Friday. The representatives from GLOV put forward a number of recommendations aimed at curbing violence against DC's LGBT community. The mayor agreed to submit an annual hate crimes report to the City Council, set up a meeting between GLOV and the new U.S. attorney for the district, and work with the public school system to reduce harassment against gay youth.

These proposals, and the other recommendations to which Mayor Fenty would not commit, seem to be mostly about two things: public outreach - such as the mayor giving an address on LGBT violence - and access - allowing local gay leaders to meet with public officials and create a network for mutual consultation.

As with any issue, generating awareness is the first step. A public meeting with the mayor is a nice touch, and if he accepts some of their proposals there will certainly be more attention drawn to the violence against DC's gay community. It would be nice, however, if the mayor had already done these things, and had come to local gay leaders rather than the other way around. Fenty has a chance here to take action - none of which is particularly difficult or controversial - and hopefully he will take it.