The Gay Police Association (GPA) was a British police staff association with members in all 52 UK police forces. The GPA was founded in 1990 by Constable James Bradley as LAGPA (Lesbian And Gay Police Association), and represented (it has since disbanded) the needs and interests of gay and bisexual police officers and police staff in the United Kingdom. Following a General Meeting of the national GPA held on 24 February 2014, the membership voted by more than two-thirds majority (in accordance with article 13 of the constitution) to close the national GPA from 1 April 2014. The GPA continues to operate in Scotland. Much of the history regarding the formation of the Association can be found in "Coming Out Of The Blue" a (Cassell, 1993) book by former Metropolitan police officer and founding LAGPA member Marc Burke. The book is an oral history which documents for the first time the experiences of many gay and lesbian police officers in their own words. It was awarded 'Book of the Year' by Gay Times Magazine. Other founding officers were Iain Ferguson, Ashley Wilce and Tony Murphy. The Association changed its name to Gay Police Association (GPA) following a vote of its membership in 2001.