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Boise's police, gay community work to heal old wounds

LGBTQ legislation continues
Posted at 3:01 PM, Jun 18, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-18 17:01:48-04

BOISE, Idaho (AP) -- Idaho has a troubled history when it comes to the relationship police have with the LGBTQ community, dating at least back to Boise's 1955 gay sex scandal.

But today both Boise police and gay residents say the relationship has dramatically changed for the better -- a change that brought some comfort as residents celebrated Boise Pridefest and grieved over a mass shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida.

Dan Lister is the Boise Police Department's new LGBTQ liaison officer. He says he wants everyone in town to feel protected and served by the police. Police in Pocatello are also actively trying to build relationships and trust with gay residents.

Steve Martin, the regional development organizer for the Pride Foundation, says he's optimistic that other Idaho cities will follow suit.