Rainbow flag burned at LGBT Community Center in NY! Protest planned.
On the morning of Wed April 14, the building staff of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center in New York City arrived to the sight of a burned rainbow flag hanging on a poster display case on the front of the building. They called the NYPD, who immediately dispatched detectives from the hate crimes unit and the local precinct. This is currently being investigating as a hate crime.
Executive Director of the LGBT Center, Glennda Testone states:
"We at the Center will not stand for anyone who thinks they can come into our community and try to intimidate us. We work hard to create a safe environment and provide a safe space for all LGBT New Yorkers. Hate and intolerance against us will not be accepted in New York, and it is so important the Center is a safe space in our city. It is sad that such incidents still happen in this day and age, but we appreciate the NYPD and especially the hate crimes unit doing everything they can to ensure the safety of all LGBT people in New York."
"We as a community must stand strong and together in the face of these hateful incidents, and while we did capture an image of the perpetrator on our surveillance camera, we are asking anyone who has additional information about this crime to contact the police directly at 1-800-577-TIPS"
The Center is fighting back by holding an event to install a giant 20 foot rainbow flag, draping the front of the Center's iconic building on 13th Street in the West Village. The Center's administration feels that "cowardly acts of hateful speech must be responded to with acts of courage and unity."
The Center has partnered with Gilbert Baker, the Rainbow Flag's creator, as well as many elected officials and other organizations to bring together the LGBT community for the unfurling.
"On Wednesday, April 21st at 5:00 pm we will gather together as one to prove that we will not sit idly by while our home is threatened. We invite our straight allies to stand with us to demonstrate that LGBT safety and rights are not just an issue for LGBT people. Our city is strong and we need to come together to show that we cannot be intimidated. Please join us and demonstrate the true power of community!"
When: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Where: In front of The LGBT Community Center, 208 W 13th Street, 7-8 Ave, Manhattan
For questions or how to help, please contact Jeffrey Klein at jklein@gaycenter.org
About the LGBT Center in NYC (from the Center's website):
Established in 1983, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Community Center of New York City builds and supports our community through health, advocacy, and cultural programs; meeting and conference services; referrals and resources; and a safe and welcoming environment.
Our community support and encouragement leads to the long term incubation of other organizations (ACT-UP, GLAAD, Gay Men of African Descent and more); the development of our own pioneering projects, including The Pat Parker/Vito Russo Library, The National Gay and Lesbian Archives, and Center CARE Recovery, the first licensed LGBT-specific recovery center in the state; and the cross-pollination of the LGBT community and the general population’s political, government and non-profit organizations, such as Causes in Common, our association of LGBT and reproductive rights groups.
More than 6,000 New Yorkers pass through out doors each week (14 hours a day, seven days a week year-round) to relax in our garden, attend a concert or lecture, evaluate the latest advocacy issues, seek counseling, or simply check their email at the David Bohnett Cyber Center. Three hundred organizations - from singles groups to political clubs to twelve-step programs - make the Center their home.
Source.