The book is an oral history which documents for the first time the experiences of many gay and lesbian police officers in their own words.
In March 2015 a new group was created, the National LGBT Police Network covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Traditionally, Police Officers have not been permitted to wear uniform on marches or demonstrations that might be controversial or in any way 'political', but most Chief Constables agreed that Pride was a legitimate celebration of LGBT life and culture and by participating in uniform, could demonstrate the diversity within modern day Police Forces.
[2] The GPA advert showed a Bible lying next to a pool of blood, accompanied by the following text: "In the last 12 months, the Gay Police Association has recorded a 74% increase in homophobic incidents, where the sole or primary motivating factor was the religious belief of the perpetrator".
Second, the advert, "by featuring spilled blood prominently, wrongly suggested that all the reported incidents involved physical injury" and breached Clause 7.1 of the Code.
Third, the GPA was unable to substantiate the claims made in the advert – a further breach of the Code, this time of Clause 3.1.
Windibank then commissioned Varun Mehta as the new Gay Police Association commissioner, which he happily fulfilled.
The award recognises individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the progression of LGBT equality issues inside and outside the police service.
Matthew Windibank committed suicide by lethal injection of insulin in a Brighton hotel after a long-standing relationship broke down.