M E D I A   R E L E A S E For Immediate Release September 22, 2003 AVP Says Rash of Hate Incidents Over Weekend Exemplifies Recent Trend Of Nine Incidents Suspected As Hate Crimes by NYPD, Three Are Anti-Gay New York – Representatives from the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) today stated that three incidents of anti-gay violence over the weekend exemplified a trend the city's lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual communities have been experiencing since early this summer. The three incidents – two involving physical assault, and one in which the victims were threatened with a knife -- all occurred in Manhattan on Friday and Saturday. "While attention has been rightfully paid to the recent horrible racist attacks on Staten Island, we think it's important to note that the issue of hate crimes is much larger than racial and religious hate and that all of our communities need to work together to stop this blight on our city," said Richard Haymes, AVP's Executive Director. "Unfortunately, in terms of hate incidents the summer months were particularly difficult for the city's lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual community," continued Haymes. "Reporting and incidents especially seemed to pick up after the Lawrence v. Texas decision," said Haymes. Near the end of June, the US Supreme Court ruled in favor of plaintiffs in a case that effectively struck down sodomy laws across the country and was viewed as a major victory for lesbians and gay men. "In general, reports of hate incidents to AVP tend to rise 8% in July as people respond to our outreach encouraging them to make reports at Pride events in June. They also rise to some degree because of greater targeting of the community during those events," said Clarence Patton, AVP's Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy. "This year, July's reports of hate incidents to AVP rose an astounding 52%, and similar trends have been seen in other cities, such as Detroit and Toronto," Patton reported. "At the rally in the West Village celebrating the Supreme Court decision, I noted that we should ready ourselves as a community for the response of bigots against our greater freedom and visibility," added Haymes. "Clearly, we are in the midst of that response," continued Haymes. "Additionally, we are well aware of the fact that our expanded visibility goes beyond the Supreme Court decision. Shows such as Queer Eye for the Straight Guy and Boy Meets Boy have risen to the top of the ratings and while they further 'normalize' gays for many Americans, they also stir the wrath of those who hate us. Further, environmental stressors such as the poor economy, 9/11 post-traumatic stress, and war in Iraq can also cause the level of hate violence to rise," said Haymes. "To continuing addressing this issue, we hope to work with both the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force and leaders from other communities experiencing hate-motivated violence to not only respond to each incident, but also develop strategies to discourage people – particularly young people – from committing these crimes," concluded Haymes. AVP's Hate Violence Reports from 1998 on are available for download on our Publications page, or by calling 212-714-1184. The New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) is the nation's largest service agency for victims of bias crimes against the lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected communities. For twenty-three years, AVP has provided counseling and advocacy for thousands of victims of bias-motivated violence as well as for survivors of domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, HIV-related violence, and police misconduct. AVP documents incidents of violence against and within LGTB communities, educates the public about the effects of violence, against or within our communities, and works to reform public policies impacting all lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and HIV-affected people. AVP provides free and confidential assistance to crime victims through our 24-hour bilingual hotline (212-714-1141).