As the Detroit Police Department’s first LGBTQ+ Liaison, Dani Woods strives to create a better relationship between the department and the LGBTQ+ community. For her tireless work as an advocate, Woods is being celebrated by the Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings as the first Pride Month Game Changers honoree.

In her role as LGBTQ+ Liaison, Woods trains her fellow officers on proper responses to LGBTQ+ issues. She created the role after a male counterpart used discriminatory language when responding to a domestic disturbance between two females. After speaking to the officer privately about how he could’ve handled the situation better, she began investigating ways to incorporate her ideas and experiences into officer training sessions.

“I made myself more visible and started attending way more community events and finding out what the community wanted from the police department,” Woods said. “It’s paramount because I didn’t have that as a kid. I didn’t have an officer that was courageously out and proud. I want to be that for them. And if their dream is becoming a law enforcement officer, or anything for that matter, visibility is important.”

Kevin Brown, Tigers and Red Wings director of community impact, said Woods is the definition of a Game Changer as someone who’s making a difference in the community daily.

“As the Detroit Police Department’s first LGBTQ+ Liaison, corporal Woods has provided Detroit with unparalleled connectivity to ensure LTBTQ+ awareness, sensitivity and competency continues to be at the forefront of interactions between local law enforcement and the community,” Brown said.

Previously, the Red Wings and Comerica Bank have celebrated Game Changers for Black History Month and Women’s Appreciation Month. Now, the Tigers and Red Wings have joined to celebrate Pride Month and share stories across their platforms of Game Changers throughout Detroit. Those recognized provide access, opportunity and year-round support to young people in our community who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.

Learn more about Game Changers and the Pride Month honorees at NHL.com/RedWings.