American Heroes Coming Out
From Behind The Badge
Stories From Police Officers, Firefighters, and EMS
Professionals "Out" On The Job.

How would you like to be part of our next project?  We are already working on our second edition and will this time include stories from firefighters and EMS professionals.   As the first edition hit the shelves, we heard almost immediately from other public safety professionals outside of law enforcement that there is a wider and more deeply repressed group of gay and lesbian public servants out there who give so much of themselves to protect others at the expense of their own happiness.   As a gay or lesbian firefighter or EMS professional, there is often the added pressure of living with straight co-workers 24 to 48 hours at a time.  Both professions continue to be largely conservative and homophobic.  

So what's your story?  What did you struggle with on the job?  Did you face discrimination?  Are you still unable to come out?  We are looking for stories of all kinds for this edition including those of success as well as struggle.  The power of this book comes from your story - one that other professionals can identify with and see themselves in.  We need your advice and expertise to help other law enforcement officers, firefighters, and EMS professionals with their own personal and often difficult struggles.


The second edition of the book will be called, "American Heroes Coming Out From Behind The Badge."  You don't have to be "out" to contribute your story.  Are are looking for contributions of all types from writers working in paid or volunteer positions, full or part time, that include, but not limited to:

Public Safety professionals who have come out while on the job.

Public Safety professionals who are working, but have not yet come out.

Public Safety professionals who entered the profession as an "out" gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Public Safety Professionals who have been discriminated against or who have suffered from being gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

You can "ghost write" your story without having to publish your real name or department.  Your story is what is important to share.   You can write as much as you like starting with any point in your life you feel is the best place to begin your story.   The audience for this book will likely be as young as 11 or 12 years of age.  Please do not focus on your sexual experiences in detail that would not be appropriate for young people or that would become a distraction from your story.   Avoid using the real names of people you write about negatively and do not use your agency or department's name without their permission.   Try to include your emotions and sufficient descriptions of events and places that create a picture for readers.  All submissions must be typed and double spaced and sent in an electronic format that can be edited (MS Word is best). 

You do not have to be an experienced author to be part of this book.  We can help you with writing and editing your story.  In fact, if you do not want to write your full story, we can interview you online so that all you have to do is respond to a series of questions that can usually be answered in a paragraph or two. 

If you are interested in being involved in this exciting project, let us know by completing the form below.   We will select the first 25 best stories received to publish in this next edition.