Gay officer to speak out for job rights bill - measure would forbid discrimination

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Springfield Patrolman Michael Carney decided to hide his homosexuality immediately after he graduated from the police academy. At a graduation party, he saw a fellow officer come out of the men's room with a bloody nose. A police supervisor had beaten him up when he learned the officer had brought a male friend to the party, Carney recalled.

For years, Carney never spoke about his attraction to men. To deflect suspicion, he would make homophobic remarks in front of fellow officers.

But today, 25 years after he became a police officer, he will speak in the most public way about his sexual identity. He will ask Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, a bill US Representative Barney Frank, a Democrat, introduced in April that would make it illegal to fire gays and lesbians because of their sexual orientation.

"My objective is to support those who are closeted as well as out," said Carney, who will testify in full uniform. "I feel when I speak I speak for those who can't speak for themselves."

Springfield Police Commissioner Edward Flynn said the department supports Carney.

"This is an important social issue and it's important that a credible police officer come out and speak about it," he said.

Carney, 47, will testify before the Education and Labor Committee about the bill, which also would make it illegal to refuse to hire someone based on their sexual orientation. Some critics of the bill have expressed reservations that it does not clearly state the extent to which religious organizations are exempt.

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