Sensitivity Training - Wilton Manors Police Department
Tuesday, 16 August 2011 12:30 Written by Victoria Michaels
http://www.southfloridagaynews.com/sfgn-columnists/guest-columnists/4281-sensitivity-training-wilton-manors-police-department.htmlBack in 2008, shortly after I had won the Miss Florida Pageant I was on my way to work and was pulled over by a Wilton Manors Police Officer. When he approached the window of my vehicle he seemed very friendly and referred to me as "Miss." After engaging in some friendly conversation he asked me to sit tight as he would run my drivers license through the system and suggested if I had a clean driving record he would issue me a simple traffic warning.
When the officer returned to my vehicle I was taken by surprise as his demeanor had completely changed and he began referring to me as "Mister" several times. I explained to him that I was a transgender female and he responded, "But you were born a man weren't you?" He added, "So you are still a man!" I was in tears because I felt humiliated. I asked him why he was disrespecting me, but he continued to be rude and hateful. He ended the conversation by once again referring to me as mister and issuing me a traffic citation.
