Anti-Gay Violence Hits Western New York: Causes Community Concern
January 11, 2010
Lindsay Harmon was celebrating New Year’s Eve at Roxy’s, a popular lesbian bar in Buffalo, New York, when passersby began hurling homophobic slurs and someone grabbed her from behind and stabbed her in the right eye and arm.
Hours earlier, in an unrelated incident, a 20-year old gay man was attached by two women who alleged he was gay. According to The Buffalo News, the two women threatened him inside the mall, followed him into the parking lot, pepper sprayed him, kicked him and ultimately robbed him of more than $1,000 in jewelry and cash.
These attacks in Western New York have stunned members of the local community and shined a light on a percolating trend in the region, according to The Buffalo News.
Data from The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, a New York City based watchdog for violence against LGBT people and other traditionally underrepresented groups, reported 2,424 victims of bias-motivated crimes in 2008, according to The Buffalo News. The Center does not have numbers specific to Buffalo.
“The biggest problem is getting people to report it,” Tim Moran, publisher of online newspaper Outcome, told The Buffalo News. “The police don’t necessarily tell people what happened,” he continued. Also according to Moran, gays and lesbians are targeted for robberies and other crimes more often than what’s reported.
Buffalo News Reporter Donn Esmonde, in an op-ed, labeled Harmon’s incident the beginning of “a storm of outrage.”
“Thursday, I saw the mark left by hate,” Esmonde wrote referring to his visit with Harmon at her house. “Harmon, sitting in the living room of her father’s home in West Seneca, pulled off the white gauze that covers half of her face. A black line, about 2 inches long, starts at the top of her right eyelid, cuts down through the eyelid and runs across the top of her cheek,” he continued.
In the interview with The Buffalo News reporter Donn Esmonde, Harmon told Esmonde, “It is like the gay community has been attacked,” Harmon told me. “I will not let myself down or other people down. . . . Once I get better, I’ll help with anti-violence rallies. Whatever it takes.”
Local LGBT community members and allies have started a Facebook group to support Harmon and curb anti-gay violence. On Monday, the group claimed more than 16,500 members.
GLAAD is still investigating and will continue to monitor the situation. Joy Darden, 18, and Deonna Burnett, 19, were charged with robbery, grand larceny, aggravated harassment and criminal mischief in the case of the attack on the 20-year old man, according to The Buffalo News. The two could face tough charges if convicted of a hate crime, because of the state’s Hate Crimes Act.
Related Posts:NY Senate Rejects Marriage Protections for Same-Sex Couples
December 2, 2009
The New York state Senate on Wednesday rejected a bill that would extend marriage protections to same-sex couples. The bill was defeated by a margin of 38 to 24.
GLAAD President and former Massachusetts state Senator Jarrett Barrios reacted to the loss in a statement on Wednesday:
This is a painful loss for loving and committed same-sex couples in New York who want the same things all American’s do: to take care of each other and their families. Today’s vote shows that some members of the State Senate believe in treating people unfairly and as a different class of citizens.
New York’s Empire State Pride Agenda expressed hope for the state’s LGBT community and its allies despite today’s loss:
While we are disappointed by today’s vote, we are pleased that the issue of marriage equality at last was debated in the New York State Senate. We had long called for a public debate on this matter so we could determine who was truly on our side.
It is a step forward for our democratic process in New York that a debate and vote have now occurred. Now we know where we stand, and where we need to concentrate our efforts in the future.
GLAAD encourages media reporting on this story to ground their coverage in the stories of the New York couples whose love and commitment is at the heart of today’s decision.
Updates on marriage equality legislation in New York and across the nation can be found on GLAADblog.org
Related Posts:Legally Changing Names Easier for Transgender New Yorkers
October 22, 2009
On Wednesday a panel of three judges on a New York State appeals court ruled unanimously to reverse the decision of a lower court which had barred Olin Yuri Winn-Ritzenberg, a self-identified transgender man, from obtaining a legal name change.
According to the Gothamist blog, Civil Court Judge Manuel J. Mendez denied Winn-Ritzenberg’s request last February based on the absence of documentation confirming the need for a name change from a physician, psychologist, or social worker.
The Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund helped connect Winn-Ritzenberg with a lawyer to handle the legalities of the request through its Name Change Project. Upon receiving Mendez’ ruling, TLDEF filed an appeal on Winn-Ritzenberg’s behalf. TLDEF executive director Michael Silverman argued in the appeal that “while most name change petitions sail through the court system, Olin’s was denied because he is transgender.”
The New York Times’ CityRoom blog, one of the few mainstream blogs to cover the case, reported that about 10 other Manhattan residents have previously approached TLDEF after having their name-change petitions denied for the same reason.
In TLDEF’s press release in May, Winn-Ritzenberg voiced a sentiment that many transgender petitioners identify with in these cases:
“My gender transition has been a very personal journey, and no one is in a better position to decide that I need to change my name than I am. It’s also important to me to protect my privacy. I don’t want my medical records in a public court file.”
Wednesday’s brief but powerful Appeals Court ruling insisted upon equal treatment of transgender petitioners, stating:
“There is no sound basis in law or policy to engraft upon the statutory provisions an additional requirement that a transgendered-petitioner present medical substantiation for the desired name change.”
In its most recent press release, TLDEF lauds Winn-Ritzenberg for choosing to fight this legal battle rather than complying with the court order, thereby “ending the practice of subjecting transgender name change applicants to this burdensome and demeaning doctor’s note requirement.”
This ruling will not necessarily bear weight in cases of filing for a legal gender change, but will ensure that transgender people in New York have equal access to legal name changes in the future.
The Advocate quotes Winn-Ritzenberg as saying, “This ruling means that I can finally change my name and move forward with my life.”
GLAAD will continue to keep you updated with the latest media coverage of these and other exciting victories for the LGBT community.
Related Posts:Vigils Scheduled to Mourn Tel Aviv LGBT Victims
August 5, 2009
As we previously reported, New York City’s City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn has called on fellow New Yorkers to join her this Wednesday, August 5th in remembering victims of the shooting at the Tel Aviv Gay and Lesbian Association.
Vigils are now also scheduled for Boston and Los Angeles. Please join in a vigil close to you—or pause to reflect today - August 5th – as we mourn for the victims, pray for the injured, and express our outrage at the attacks at the Tel Aviv LGBT youth center.
Here is information on vigils and services across the country:
- Boston, MA: Vigil at Temple Israel (477 Longwood Avenue—on the steps of the Riverway), 6:30 p.m.
- Los Angeles, CA: Vigil at Congregation Beth Chayim Chadishim, 6:30 p.m. (6000 W Pico Blvd, one block east of Crescent Heights)
- New York, NY: Vigil at Congregation Beth Simchat Torah (57 Bethune St.), 7 p.m.
Vigils are also are also being scheduled in London, San Francisco, Manchester, and many other cities across the globe to honor the victims of the attack. Twitter users are spreading the word about the vigils.
To find out more about the violent shooting in Tel Aviv, click over to our blog post on the media coverage surrounding the attack.
Related Posts:Dos Casos Alarmantes de Violencia, en Nueva York y Texas/Two Alarming Cases of Violence, in New York and Texas
July 2, 2009
GLAAD is following media coverage of two alarming cases. One involves a young Queens, New York woman, Leslie Mora, 27, who was beaten with a belt by two individuals who shouted anti-gay insults, such as ‘f**got.’
Leslie Mora
The second case involves a bar raid at the Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth, Texas, where bystanders say police attacked and arrested patrons without provocation. At least one patron was hospitalized and seven others arrested.
Police say they will conduct an investigation. Local residents protested the raid at the county courthouse on Sunday June 28.
This has taken place during the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, which helped launch the LGBT rights movement.
Dos Casos Alarmantes de Violencia, en Nueva York y Texas
En GLAAD estamos siguiendo dos casos alarmantes. El primero es de un ataque violento en Queens, New York, donde una mujer transgénera llamada Leslie Mora, de 27, quien fue atacada con un cinturón por dos personas que gritaban insultos anti-gay en español.
Los que la atacaron a Mora, Trinidad Tapia, 19, y Gilberto Ortiz, 32 fueron arrestados después del ataque. Esto fue obviamenteun crimen de odio y se esta pidiendo que asi se trate bajo la ley, dijo Michael Silverman, el Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund.
El segundo caso occurió en Fort Worth, Texas, donde la comunidad gay y transgénera está sumamente alarmada por lo que dicen haber sido un ataque sin provocación de la policía local en un bar gay llamado el Rainbow Lounge. Por lo menos unos de los clientes tuvo que ser llevado al hospital, y estaba en cuidado intensivo. Otros siete fueron arrestados.
La policía ha dicho que investigará. Miembros de la comunidad protestaron delante de las cortes el domingo, 27 de junio. Este es el aniversario de las ruedas de Stonewall en Nueva York, las cuales ayudaron a lanzar el movimiento de derechos gay y transgénero.
Related Posts:Marches and Rallies Take Place Across the Country in Response to Prop 8 Decision
May 27, 2009
Across the country, LGBT people and allies gathered in rallies and marches in repsonse to the California Supreme Court’s decision on Proposition 8.
The intersection of Hollywood Blvd. and Highland Ave.
GLAAD Senior Media Field Strategist Adam Bass was in attendance in West Hollywood, where crowds gathered and marched seven miles from West Hollywood to the corner of Hollywood and Highland – the site of the Kodak theater – and back.
During the march, chants calling for a new vote in 2010 burst out spontaneously during the march.
Media outlets noted the rallies were low key, with estimates of participation ranging from 1,000 to upwards of 15,000.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa speaking at the event in West Hollywood.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa spoke to the crowd about the importance that LGBT people get out and share their stories. As reported by the Contra Costa Times, he said:
“We’re going into every neighborhood, every city. We’re going into every institution to have this conversation about the right of my first cousin John to have a family,” Villaraigosa said in a statement after the Supreme Court ruling. He was referring to his cousin, Assemblyman John Perez, D-Los Angeles, who is openly gay.
Comedian Kathy Griffin.
The West Hollywood rally was also attended by celebrities and public figures including West Hollywood mayor Abbe Land, actors Drew Barrymore and George Takei (who married his partner, Brad Altman, last year), and comedian (and GLAAD Vanguard Award honoree) Kathy Griffin.
Rallies took place in other parts of Los Angeles and throughout the state, including in Downtown Los Angeles at Pershing Square. GLAAD Media Advocacy & Research Fellow Moe Macarow attended the gathering, which was organized by the First United Methodist Church of L.A. and the United University Church, and included a march around Pershing Square to the chorus of “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Turn Me Around.”
Downtown L.A. march at 5th St. and Hill St.
Lt. Dan Choi also spoke up in Los Angeles about the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Prop. 8, telling the assembled crowd, “Love is worth it!” and speaking on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 about the importance of marriage equality and his recent discharge from the Army under the so-called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. (You can watch the video clip at the bottom of this post.)
Other marches and demonstrations (notably in San Diego) took place in cities across the nation, including one that drew large crowds in New York. For images of rallies from across the country, check out the slideshow at Towleroad.com.
Obras Espectaculares de Teatro en Los Angeles/Great Los Angeles Theatre
April 30, 2009
Obras Espectaculares de Teatro Muy Bueno en Los Angeles y Sofia Vergara en Nueva York
En Los Angéles, tenemos mucha suerte de poder disfrutar de una obra interesantísima en el Mark Taper Forum hasta el 17 de mayo. Lydia y se enfoca en la vida de una familia Mexico-Americana viviendo en Texas. Escrita por Octavio Solis, la obra ha recibido excelentes notas. Para no ruinar la historia, no les contamos más, pero… vayan a verla!
Tambien tendremos por una noche El Pasatiempo Nacional, en el L.A. at the Gallery Theatre en Hollywood el 2 de mayo. La obra esta hecha en español y cuenta una historia de amor gay.
Y hablando de teatro, la felicitamos a Sofia Vergara por su debut en Broadway en Chicago. Sofia es una de las estrellas que filmó un anuncio público para GLAAD sobre la importancia de hacerse amigo y aliado le las personas LGBT, el cual hará su debut muy pronto. Más razon que nunca para orgullecernos de sus acontecimientos.
Great Los Angeles Theatre and Sofia Vergara in New York
In Los Angeles, we’re very lucky to enjoy some really interesting theatre currently at the Mark Taper Forum until May 17. Lydia tells the story of a Mexican-American family living in Texas. Written by Octavio Solis, the play has received excellent reviews. We don’t want to ruin the story, so go see it!
We’ll also have a one night performance of El Pasatiempo Nacional, at L.A. at the Gallery Theatre in Hollywood May 2.The play is entirely in Spanish, and tells a gay love story.
And speaking of theatre, congratulations to Sofia Vergara who made her Broadway debut in Chicago recently. Sofia is also one of the stars who filmed a PSA, soon to debut, for GLAAD’s “Be a Friend & Ally” campaign or “Hazte Amigo y Aliado.” One more reason to be proud of her!
Massachusetts Clergy Debunk Myths
April 29, 2009
The Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA), New York’s statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights advocacy organization, recently released the web video “Marriage Equality and Religion: The Massachusetts Experience.”
ESPA’s “Pride in the Pulpit” staff invited Massachusetts clergy – the Reverend Nancy Taylor of Old South Church; the Reverend Thomas Shaw, Episcopal bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts; and the Reverend Michael Wayne Walker of Messiah Baptist Church in Brockton – to discuss how laws that require civil marriage equality do not impact each faith tradition’s ability to decide who they will or will not marry.
In a press release, Executive Director Alan Van Capelle stated: “The Empire State Pride Agenda is committed to refuting myths that have been articulated across the country about the consequences of marriage for same-sex couples. This issue is too important for our families and us to let them go unanswered in New York.”
Sundays of Solidarity
April 29, 2009
Atticus Circle and Soulforce are teaming up for a nationwide action involving LGBT equality advocates visiting faith communities across the United States called Sundays of Solidarity (SOS).
The SOS campaign will start May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, and will end on June 28 – the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City. Advocates for LGBT equality will visit churches, synagogues and other faith communities across the nation for seven straight Sundays in order to start dialogue about LGBT people and issues with members of faith communities across the nation.
SOS participants will be given training and will attend worship services and other faith community meetings wearing T-shirts and buttons proclaiming “Gay? Fine by Me.”
GLAAD will be assisting both organizations with raising awareness of SOS and amplifying the media coverage of their excellent work. GLAAD previously collaborated with Soul Force and Atticus Circle in 2007 and 2008 in media strategy planning for Seven Straight Nights, a series of vigils and awareness-raising events held across the nation to bring LGBT equality supporters together in demonstrations of public support.
Atticus Circle is an Austin-based organization that educates and mobilizes fair-minded straight people to advance equal rights for LGBT people. Soulforce is known for its Equality Ride, during which they travel around the country to challenge anti-gay policies at Christian colleges or visit American Family Outings at mega-churches to share stories about LGBT families.
In order to promote the Sundays of Solidarity event, Jeff Lutes, Executive Director of Soulforce and Rev. Paul Dodd released the following video where they talk about the inspiration behind the campaign.
20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards in NYC Wrap-Up
April 1, 2009
A big thank you to everyone who attended the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards presented by IBM in New York City on March 28! More than 1,500 people attended the event presented by Prudential, which honored outstanding representations of LGBT people in media. GLAAD’s silent and live auctions raised an estimated $110,000 for GLAAD’s culture changing and media advocacy work.
The evening began with a reception at the Marriott Marquis where guests perused silent and live auction items. Meanwhile, the red carpet welcomed over 120 media outlets to photograph and interview special guests and honorees.
Media outlets including Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight and Reuters were on hand to raise visibility for support for the LGBT community from A-list celebrities in attendance. LGBT media outlets including The Advocate, AfterElton.com, Queerty.com and OUTTAKE also took the opportunity interview special guests about their views on marriage equality.
The red carpet was turned white – where staff, guests and celebrities including Clay Aiken, Phil Donahue, S. Epatha Merkerson, T.R. Knight and Jane Velez- Mitchell wore white knots in support of marriage equality (http://www.whiteknot.org/).
The 20th Annual Media Awards kicked off with a hysterical monologue from comedian Kate Clinton who poked fun at Pastor Rick Warren and continued with an opening montage of media images from 2008 that had the crowd laughing with clips from television and film and moved many tears with its incorporation of media coverage of Proposition 8.
Jennifer Holliday shines at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
“It’s unbelievable to think about the power and the warp speed of this revolution,” Donahue said during his acceptance. “Twenty years ago when I proudly accepted the first GLAAD Media Award…it was a very small crowd. There are more photographers here tonight than there were people then…. And now, we look up in 2009, and [the LGBT community] is popular. The majority of the people in the nation agree with us. Our job now is to summon these people to stand up and say so out loud. To tell them to join us. To march the lavender line with us down Fifth Avenue, and to remind them, when they do join us, they’re going to meet a lot of nice people.”
Actress Stockard Channing also presented a Special Recognition Award to Sirius OutQ radio personalities Romaine Patterson and Derek Hartley on behalf of Sirius XM for their two hour documentary, The Laramie Project, 10 Years Later. Patterson thanked intern and producer Katie Castellano for her work on the documentary.
The new GLAAD Media Awards Statuette which was unveiled at the New York event, designed by Society Awards
Keith Olbermann received a standing ovation from the crowd when accepting the award for Outstanding TV Journalism Segment for “Special Comment: Gay Marriage is a Question of Love” which aired on Countdown with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. Olbermann cited that his presence in the media had an advisor of John McCain change his stance on marriage equality. “One down,” Olbermann said- eliciting laughs and applause from the crowd.
Twenty-year old Donald Smith began a tribute to GLAAD President Neil Giuliano. Smith was a teenager during Giuliano’s tenure as President of Tempe, Arizona and remarked that Giuliano’s visibility had been an inspiration in Smith’s coming out.
Openly gay actor T.R. Knight presented the Vito Russo Award to Suze Orman, personal finance expert and host of CNBC’s The Suze Orman Show. The Vito Russo Award is presented to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender media professional who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for the LGBT community.
“I want every single one of you in this room to take note of what corporations put their time and money behind gays, behind lesbians – behind you,” Orman said accepting her award. “Do you want to continue to give your money to people in corporations that oppress us, that keep us down? Or do you want to give your money to the corporations who can help us rise and change what needs to be changed in the United States of America today.” Orman continued, “I ask you to honor those corporations not only with your support but with your money as well. We can do this – and here’s how you’re going to do it. You are going to think about every single penny you spend from this day forward. And the only think I ask of you is to spend it and invest it in those companies that invest in you.”
Openly gay singer Clay Aiken presented the Excellence in Media Award to close personal friend Tyra Banks, who was honored for her strong commitment to educating the public about the lives of gay and transgender people on her talk show, The Tyra Banks Show, and on her reality series, America’s Next Top Model. The Excellence in Media Award is presented to individuals who, through their work, have increased the visibility and understanding of the LGBT community in the media.
“[The LGBT community] empowered me,” Banks said in her acceptance speech. “And in turn, when I finally had a platform, and a power, and a voice – no longer just a face, but a voice – to get across the points and the messages that were important to me, I brought you along with me. Because you embraced me and now I embrace you in front of millions to show how beautiful you are, how absolutely amazing you are, how giving you are. And I will continue to do that as long as I have a platform. I will continue to get the message out about gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people.”
Holliday returned to the stage to close the evening with a disco version of “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going” from Dreamgirls.
The Celebrity After-Party, where attendees applauded included media images from 2008 included special guest DJ Junior Vasquez and a special cocktail from ABSOLUT to celebrate the 20th anniversary of their partnership with GLAAD.
GLAAD thanks over 100 corporate partners for their generous support in making the event a great success and a night to remember.
We hope to see you at the GLAAD Media Awards in Los Angeles on April 18 where we are honoring Kathy Griffin, Bishop Gene Robinson and The L Word. Additional talent: Jessica Alba, Dustin Lance Black; Balthazar Getty; Megan Mullally; Alan Cumming; Gus Van Sant; George Takei; Bruno Tonioli; Robert Gant, Peter Paige, Thea Gill, Michelle Clunie; Wilson Cruz; and Chad Allen. A third ceremony takes place in San Francisco on May 9 honoring Chad Allen with Special Guests Wilson Cruz, Robert Gant, Jason Lewis and Suze Orman.
Many Wins for the LGBT Community Since Election
December 19, 2008
While much of the media is still concentrating on the passage of anti-gay legislation back in November, many gains for LGBT equality are being made across the nation.
- Just yesterday, our community and elected officials made these changes!
- Columbus, Ohio, and Binghamton, NY’s, city councils both, extended their nondiscrimination laws to include discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
- Sioux City, Iowa’s, city council decided to delay action on a proposal that would publicly oppo
se marriage equality. - A federal judge denied Birmingham, Alabama’s, request that the court dismiss an anti-gay discrimination lawsuit.
- Ankeny, Iowa’s, school board denied a request to bar children from reading the children’s book And Tango Makes Three, which features two male penguins who raise a chick together.
- New York’s governor mandated that gay parents be allowed to appear on birth certificates.
- And since the election:
- Nov. 12: Same-sex couples legally wed in Connecticut for the first time.
- Nov. 14: Michigan’s House voted to extend hate crimes protections to the LGBT community.
- Nov. 18: Vermont Sen. John Campbell introduced a marriage equality bill.
- Nov. 25: a Florida judge declared the state’s anti-gay adoption law unconstitutional.
- Dec. 1: Indiana’s leaders said a ban on marriage equalityis unlikely in ‘09.
- Dec. 5: Alaska’s Senator-elect told the New York Times he supported partner benefits for gay couples.
- Dec. 8: Cleveland, Ohio, enacted a domestic partner registry and the Virginia Supreme Court granted child-visitation rights to lesbian parent
- Dec. 9: Iowa’s Supreme Court began hearings on marriage equality case Varnum v. Brian.
- Dec. 10: the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission released a report that explains the state’s civil union law is not adequate, and that the legislature must take action to ensure marriage equality.
With the discouraging losses on Nov. 4, it’s important to point out all of our steps forward and to know that for the most part these issues have been covered by the media in a fair, accurate, and inclusive way. Fair media visibility of our community on the local level-everywhere from Florida to Alaska to Iowa-makes a big change in the way our neighbors perceive us.
In addition to the media coverage in your community, sharing your story with your community helps change hearts and minds too! Check out GLAAD’s Announcing Equality toolkit to learn all of the ways to share your story locally: http://www.glaad.org/AnnouncingEquality/
