Coming Out Cops (2021)

• 82%
• 2021
• Aaron Sheedy

Coming Out Cops introduces its audience to a group of Two-spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (2SLGBTQ+) law enforcement professionals from Ontario, Canada. The documentary unpacks the multiple, dynamic, and often conflicting "coming out" processes these sworn-professionals navigate in their personal and professional lives. For many amongst the film's cast, this includes not only opening up to their families, friends, and communities about their 2SLGBTQ+ identities, but also coming out within the para-military culture of law enforcement that can be characterized both historically (and in many ways, currently) by an environment of hyper-masculinity in which sexuality- and gender- minority individuals may be marginalized or even persecuted when they come out as 2SLGBTQ+ to their colleagues and superiors. In addition, they have a similar experience when "coming out" as police officers and law enforcement professionals to friends, family, and chosen family in the 2SLGBTQ+ community, as many people within the community harbour feelings of mistrust towards law enforcement as a result of historical and ongoing experiences of over-enforcement and under-protection. This "triple bind" (personal identity, professional identity, connection to 2SLGBTQ+ community) is the nexus at which the audience and subjects of the film are introduced.