The City of New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (NOEMS)has named Tracy “TJ” Boyd, Jr. as the agency’s newly created liaison officer between the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (or questioning) communities.
As the LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer, Boyd will be promoting equality and inclusion in the workplace, and educating our first responders on LGBTQ+ related emergency healthcare conditions and respectful practices when caring for these individuals. Boyd will also be working with the New Orleans Police Department and other City of New Orleans LGBTQ+ Liaisons to help build mutual trust, respect and understanding between the LGBTQ+ community and our public safety team, while working with local partners to ensure that LGBTQ+ patients have positive prehospital healthcare experiences.
“As a member of the gay community, I am honored to be chosen for this position,” Boyd comments. “My main goal is to continue nurturing and developing a strong relationship between the LGBTQ+ community and the City of New Orleans Public Safety Team. Together, we will accomplish great things for our community.”
An LGBTQ+ liaison is just one of many commitments made by NOEMS after announcing a commemorative badge in anticipation of Pride Month.
To contact the New Orleans EMS LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer, call/text (504) 224-9100 or tboyd@nola.gov
TJ Boyd, Jr., is from the town of Bay Springs, Mississippi. He grew up around emergency services; his dad is now a retired Mississippi State Trooper, and his three older brothers were also Mississippi State Troopers. TJ started in the Emergency Medical Services field in 2010, and decided to make the big move to New Orleans in 2016. He joined New Orleans EMS in September of 2016 after volunteering with them since 2014.There, he worked his way up from an EMT, to now, a Field Training Officer and the newly appointed LGBTQ+ Liaison.
New Orleans EMS is excited to join Mayor Cantrell’s initiative in promoting equity and inclusion. They are working with the Office of Human Rights & Equity to develop educational materials for medics so that everyone feels respected when receiving pre-hospital care.
A huge milestone for NOEMS is the addition of Pride Badges and a pride-wrapped vehicle for the month of June. TJ says “there are a lot of changes, and we reiterate our commitment of inclusion, acceptance, and equality to NOEMS staff as well as the citizens and visitors of New Orleans.
At New Orleans EMS, we embrace human dignity and diversity.” This is the first time that an NOEMS vehicle has been placed in the New Orleans Pride Parade. Normally NOEMS only has a vehicle following the parade for medical coverage. Be sure to look for NOEMS employees, along with Boyd who are walking and are extremely excited to be able to show their pride and commitment to the City!
Captain Keeley Williams-Johnson will be driving the Tahoe in the New Orleans Pride Parade.
