Former Police Chief Adrian Diaz Comes Out as Gay in Response to Sexual Harassment Allegations

by Lauryn Bray

Former Police Chief Adrian Diaz came out as gay during an exclusive interview with Jason Rantz on June 17 after he was asked about the allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination against him. The allegations, which Diaz calls "absurd," were made by officer Valerie Carson, who, along with five other female officers, filed a tort claim accusing Diaz of misconduct.

"It's absurd, and I haven't had the opportunity to just be able to tell my story. It's a story that I've struggled with over the last four years: that I am a gay Latino man," Diaz said, his voice breaking. "It doesn't bother me — it's more my concern for my kids, because they're going to have to deal with a lot of the struggles that I might not have to deal with."

Diaz, who has been with the Seattle Police Department (SPD) for over 25 years, has also been mentioned in lawsuits alleging that SPD perpetrates a segregationist culture and racial discrimination.

According to Diaz, the reason it took him four years to come out was because he never felt like it was the right time. "People always tell you, 'Don't come out until you're ready,' and it was a struggle because I had been married for, at that time, 16 years," he said. "I took [SPD] through some of the most difficult times and challenges in our history — reset a consent decree, dealing with the death of an officer, the defund movement, staffing losses, [increased] violent crime — and we've tackled each and every one of them, but there's never a good time to say, 'Hey, I am a gay man.'"

Prior to the allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination surfacing, Diaz had been accused of having an affair with his chief of staff, who is a woman. Diaz, who also denied these accusations, said he was close with this staff member because she was the only one who knew he was gay.

"One of the first [people] I told was somebody that I eventually hired, and that's where rumors were kind of going about," said Diaz. "I confided in her, and she really helped me get to the point where I was able to bring it to Kelly [Diaz's wife]."

Diaz said that around the time the news of his alleged affair broke, he was finally feeling ready to come out, but the affair accusations kept him quiet due to fear that because of the timing, he would not be believed.

"I got selected to be the chief, and then I was feeling like, 'Okay, maybe it is time for me to start coming out,' when the rumors started. … People are going to judge you however which way they want to judge you, and they're going to want to say, 'Oh, well, he's just coming out because of those rumors,'" said Diaz. "Just because you're a gay man doesn't mean that you can't be a misogynist. But I know who I am and I know what I've done, and I know that I've always been true to myself and treated people well and respectfully."

Diaz said he is looking toward a future where all the ongoing investigations against him are resolved. "I want to make sure that these investigations are done quickly because I don't want to live under this cloud. I don't deserve this, because I know who I am," said Diaz. "It's really important for my kids to understand that it's all right to say who you are and to not be afraid or ashamed of it."

Diaz is in the process of applying for a new job as chief of the Austin, Texas, Police Department. "My hope is that people will see me for who I am and what I can bring to the table," he said.

In a statement to KOMO News regarding Diaz's announcement, interim Chief Sue Rahr said, "We are happy that former Chief Adrian Diaz is able to share his story and be open and confident with his true, authentic self."

Featured Image: Seattle Police Department then-interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz speaks during a press conference at the West Precinct in 2020. (Photo: Alex Garland)