Community Alerts

The New York City Anti-Violence Project has learned about a murder of a transgender person that occurred in an apartment on East 110th Street in Harlem. Details are still emerging, but we know that the victim was brutally stabbed to death and found on Monday afternoon, August 1st. Last month, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) released its report Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2010. In 2010, NCAVP documented 27 anti-LGBTQ murders nationwide, the second highest yearly total ever recorded by the coalition. Transgender women made up 44% of the reported hate murders in 2010, while representing only 11% of total survivors and victims.

Last week the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) released its report Hate Violence Against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and HIV-Affected Communities in the United States in 2010. NCAVP collected data concerning hate violence against LGBTQ and HIV-affected people from 17 anti-violence programs in 15 states across the country including data from the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) which coordinates the coalition. NCAVP’s report shows an 11% increase in reports of hate violence in New York City from 2009 to 2010. AVP recorded 400 incidents of hate violence in New York City in 2010.

AVP wishes you a Happy Pride! Pride is a time to celebrate who we are as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. During Pride, AVP wants everyone to be safe – below are some tips for how you and your friends and family can stay safe during Pride season.

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.