Three seats are open on the Atlanta Police Department’s LGBT Advisory Board after two-year terms expired.

The board, founded in 2010 by Mayor Kasim Reed during the fallout of the unconstitutional Atlanta Eagle raid, allows two-year terms for members.

Those not seeking to renew their terms are Terence McPhaul, executive director of YouthPride; Betty Couvertier, radio host for Alternative Perspectives; and Ebonee Bradford Barnes, who has been absent for four meetings.

Those who wish to remain on the board are current chairperson Glen Paul Freedman; Josh Noblitt of St. Mark United Methodist Church; AID Atlanta Executive Director Tracy Elliott; Melissa Carter; and Philip Rafshoon.

The openings were discussed at the board meeting held Monday, May 21.

Those wishing to apply for the position must undergo a background check conducted by the LGBT liaisons and fill out an application.

The board is seeking diversity including transgender people, people of color and lesbians. For information, email Freedman at [email protected]

At the board meeting on May 21, members present also thanked Senior Patrol Officer Patricia Powell who stepped down as LGBT liaison and is now working on recruitment of officers.

“She came in at a rough time after the Eagle raid and handled herself in a professional manner and helped the community heal,” said Elliott.
Officer Kristin Knight recently replaced Powell as the new LGBT liaison and serves in the position with Officer Brian Sharp.

Knight and Sharp will attend a conference for LGBT people working in law enforcement beginning May 28. An advisory board meeting is being planned for June to hear about what the officers learned at the conference, Freedman said.

Sharp also reported to the board that he conducted training for vice officers who conduct sting operations of prostitutes who are cross-dressers and transsexuals.