Back row from left: Lt Eric Moura, Sgt. John Peterson, Mija Almeida, Tanya Lobo, Det. Sgt. Rich Carreiro, Patrolman Troy Enos. Front row from left: Patrolman Terence Downing and Patrolman Mike Flynn. (Photo courtesy Taunton Police Department) 
Back row from left: Lt. Eric Moura, Sgt. John Peterson, Mija Almeida, Tanya Lobo, Lt. Eric Nichols and Patrolman Troy Enos. Front row from left: Patrolman Terence Downing and Det. Sgt. Rich Carreiro. (Photo courtesy Taunton Police Department) 
T.R.U.E. Diversity donated approximately 80 LGBTQIA+ pride pins and a pride flag to the Taunton Police Department yesterday, June 18. (Photo courtesy Taunton Police Department)
TAUNTON — Chief Edward J. Walsh, on behalf of the Taunton Police Department, would like to thank T.R.U.E. Diversity for their generous donation of several LGBTQIA+ Pride pins and a flag to the police department.
T.R.U.E. Diversity, a Taunton-based grassroots civic and social organization dedicated to advocating for diversity, equity, equality and inclusion within all communities, donated approximately 80 LGBTQIA+ Pride pins and a Pride flag to the Taunton Police Department yesterday, June 17.
“The Taunton Police Department is committed to promoting inclusion and diversity, and supporting all community members, especially those who are members of historically marginalized groups like our LGBTQIA+ neighbors,” Chief Walsh said. “We are proud to recognize and honor Pride Month and would like to thank T.R.U.E. Diversity for their generous donation in support of this mission.”
Taunton Police Officers will wear the Pride pins on their uniforms during the month of June, which is National Pride Month. They will also display the Pride flag in the department throughout the month of June in observation of Pride Month.
“I have been an advocate my whole life — since I can remember — and I will never stop advocating, promoting empathy and cultural awareness,” Tanya Lobo, Founder and President/CEO of T.R.U.E. Diversity and Taunton City Council candidate, said. “I choose to support and work toward inclusion for all people within our community and we should all work towards this as our actions make statements. That is empathy, that is embracing lifestyle differences, that is how we achieve an understanding of others. That is what we as professionals, caregivers, politicians, neighbors, brothers, sisters — everyone has to achieve.”
Added member of T.R.U.E. Diversity Mija Almeida, “I wanted to focus on encouraging the police officers of Taunton to become allies of Taunton’s LGBTQIA+ community, not only in word but also in action. This begins with them examining their own internal beliefs and working to grow, evolve and change. I want to say thank you to Taunton Police for meeting with Tanya and myself, for accepting our gift of the Pride pins and the Pride flag, and for hopefully displaying it proudly in the police station.”
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month is recognized every June in remembrance of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, a significant moment in the Gay Liberation Movement, according to the Library of Congress. Pride Month seeks to acknowledge the historic impact of the LGBTQIA+ community, and worldwide celebrations include parades, picnics, parties, concerts and other gatherings.
To learn more about Pride, click here.
T.R.U.E Diversity
T.R.U.E. Diversity is a grassroots civic and social organization dedicated to advocating for diversity, equity, equality and inclusion within our communities. We address gaps in education, health, finance, and policies that affect marginalized communities, people of color, and those who are most at risk.
We learn through collaborative reflections across our connections and networks and we teach by action learning. T.R.U.E. is encompassed by individuals and community members helping to coordinate efforts towards equitable outcomes within our communities locally and around the world. To learn more about T.R.U.E. Diversity, click here.
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