CPD's LGBT newsletter causes internal rift

An earlier version of this story incorrectly credited the newsletter's statements to Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell. The Enquirer regrets the error. The story has been updated.

Cincinnati Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell is changing the way his department handles communications after a newsletter offended some officers.

He issued an apology after receiving three complaints from officers regarding a newsletter that included messages of support for the LGBTQ community.

The newsletter also contained criticism of religious institutions that don't embrace the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community – criticism that came from an article in the Huffington Post that was reprinted in the newsletter.

Blackwell said he's addressed the issue with his boss, City Manager Harry Black, and two directors will review all internal communications from now on.

The officer involved in compiling the newsletter's content – Angela Vance, the department's LGBT liaison – has received verbal counseling on the matter, Blackwell said.

The text in the newsletter being interpreted by some officers as divisive is originally from a Huffington Post article, and reads: "If you belong to a religion that denies transgender identities and put money in the collection plate or pay your 10-percent tithe, you are bankrolling the slaughter of innocents.

"You can claim you love LGBT people all day, but as long as you're footing the bill for propaganda that's literally killing children, you are an accessory."

Blackwell said additional safety nets for future newsletters will include a review of the content by his director of communications. A second director will also review them.

"It was a mistake of the mind, not the heart," Blackwell told The Enquirer. "I've apologized because our quality of life and LGBT officers answer to me. We've vowed not to make the same mistake twice."

Vance still has the department's support, Blackwell said, adding the positive feedback regarding the newsletter far outweighed the negative.

"(Officer Vance) is an excellent officer. She has excellent human relations skills and she's very compassionate about what she does. We've addressed it accordingly. She's been verbally counseled and we've already moved past it."

The original nine-page newsletter provides an update on Vance's activities in the role of LGBT liaison and outlines recommended actions Cincinnati officers can take to create a "LGBTQ-affirmative environment."

A letter penned by Leelah Alcorn of Warren County before her suicide is also included in the newsletter in its entirety. Leelah, the 17-year-old named Josh Alcorn at birth, was featured on the cover of the newsletter in images set under the words, "In Memory of Leelah" and "Rest In Peace."

Mayor John Cranley was also made aware of the newsletter as of Friday morning and his office issued the following statement concerning the letter:

"The newsletter is inappropriate. Government should not be telling people where to worship. The city manager is investigating this incident, which will not be repeated," Cranley said.

Read the full "On the Beat in the LGBT Community" newsletter below: