Press Releases

Today - The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is pleased to announce that Senator Thomas K. Duane, a longstanding advocate against violence and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) and HIV-affected communities, has joined AVP's Board. AVP is a 33 year-old organization that empowers LGBTQ and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and supports survivors of violence through counseling and advocacy.

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned that a "gay panic" defense might be used by the suspect in the homicide of Mississippi Mayoral Candidate, Marco McMillian. McMillian was found dead on Wednesday, February 27th near the bank of the Mississippi River just west of Clarksdale, Mississippi, the town where he had been a mayoral hopeful. Lawrence Reed was arrested for the homicide, and it is being reported that the two men may have had an intimate relationship during the approximately two weeks that they knew one another. It is also being reported that Reed, who identifies as straight, may have "snapped" as a result of sexual advances on the part of McMillian. Police have ruled out a hate crime in this case so far, something that some of McMillian's friends and family members want reconsidered due to the brutal nature of the homicide. According to his family, McMillian had been beaten and burned.

TODAY - The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) commends the U.S. House of Representatives for passage of the bi-partisan Senate Bill S.47, which re-authorizes a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by a vote of 286 to 138. The bi-partisan version of S. 47 includes explicit protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. We thank the all of the bill's supporters for standing up for all survivors of violence and for putting lives before politics. This historic legislative victory for LGBTQ communities comes as a direct result of tireless efforts on the part of NCAVP members and our national partners, including the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Center for Transgender Equality, National LGBT Bar Association, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force among others.

TODAY - The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) commends the U.S. Senate for passage of Senate Bill S.47 which re-authorizes a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by a vote of 78 to 22. S. 47 includes explicit sexual orientation and gender identity protections. We thank the bill's sponsors, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Senator Michael Crapo (R-ID), for their leadership in introducing the bill and shepherding its passage. This historic legislative action for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities comes as a direct result of tireless efforts on the part of NCAVP members and our national partners, including the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force among others.

The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) has learned of the death of a gay man, Milton Medina Morales on February 3, 2013 just outside of Mayagüez, Pueto Rico. El Nuevo Día and the Washington Blade are reporting that Soto Vélez has confessed to Morales' killing. Media sources state that Morales was attacked with a machete and that his body was found partially burned. Given the alarming trend of targeted homicides of LGBTQ people in Puerto Rico, NCAVP is very concerned about violence against LGBTQ people in Puerto Rico.