Resources

On May 15th, New York State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr. held an anti-gay marriage rally he called “Rally to Protect Marriage.” At this rally, Reverend Ariel Torres Ortega of Radio Visión Cristiana, told the crowd that gay people are “worthy of death” based on their actions. This statement came on the heels of months of violent anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender incidents from October to April, including the brutal anti-gay attacks in the Bronx, the death of Anthony Collao, a straight young person attending a party hosted by his gay friends in Brooklyn, and violence in Staten Island, Chelsea and the West Village.

Yesterday, we were outraged to hear that “I HATE THE GAYS” was recently written into cement on the sidewalk in Chelsea on 8th Avenue between 25th and 26th Streets. This language contributes to a culture of violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people, making New York City more dangerous for everyone. This year, we have witnessed the impact of this culture resulting in the deaths or severe injuries of LGBTQ people throughout the five boroughs, as well as LGBTQ youth suicides in our city and country. Fourteen organizations issued a statement condemning this violence in the Huffington Post. On Tuesday, May 24, these organizations will come together again for Safety for All Communities Day. We organized this day to raise awareness of the ongoing work we do to reduce hate violence. We invite all New Yorkers to join us in ending violence and creating safe spaces for LGBTQ adults and youth everywhere.

At 4:30 on Sunday morning, March 27, Damian Furtch was at a McDonald’s in New York City’s West Village neighborhood when he noticed two men looking at him. Feeling uncomfortable, Furtch left the restaurant, followed by the two men, who proceeded to punch him and call him an anti-gay slur. Furtch suffered facial injuries and required stitches from the attack.

Anthony Collao, 18, died yesterday from injuries sustained in a vicious attack on Saturday night. He was attending a party in Woodhaven, Queens, when a group shouting anti-gay slurs crashed the party. Collao attempted to flee the party and was chased down the street and brutally beaten by four assailants. Those four young men, all age 17 and under, were arraigned in Queens Criminal Court yesterday on manslaughter and assault charges. AVP extends our condolences to Anthony’s friends and family.

Anthony Collao died on Monday, March 14 due to an alleged anti-gay attack. Collao was at a party given by two openly-gay individuals, but did not identify as gay. His death reminds us that homophobia affects everyone, not just those in LGBTQH (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-affected communities.)