Coming Out of the Blue by Marc E. Burke

(The Cassell Lesbian and Gay Studies)

This book examines the delicate and controversial issues which affect the lives of police officers who are lesbian, gay or bisexual. Drawing on interviews with officers from various regions, departments and ranks, the book provides a sociological account of two of society's most contentious minority communities. The material asks which community, if any, has the loyalty of these officers; what it is that makes a person attempt to combine what would appear to be incompatible, and what strategies lesbian, gay and biosexual officers adopt to cope with the pressures of living a double life and when enforcing laws which discriminate against gay people. Officers discuss coming out, equal opportunities, cruising, cottaging and 'queer bashing'. The interviewees tell their stories with emotion, anger, honesty, frustration, regret and humour.