M E D I A   R E L E A S E


For Immediate Release

September 13, 2002

ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT DECRIES MUGABE CITY HALL VISIT

New York - Representatives from the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project (AVP) today called a reception at New York City Hall for Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe's President "an inappropriate, insensitive and extraordinarily unwelcome event."

"For some members of the City Council to welcome Robert Mugabe, a man who actively and without compunction incites violence against innocent citizens including lesbians and gay men is reprehensible," said Clarence Patton, AVP' s Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy.

Though he has most publicly come under attack from Western governments and media for his land reclamation policies, which have resulted in violence against and the murder of white landowners in Zimbabwe, Mugabe has also been condemned by many in the lesbian and gay community both in the United States and around the world in recent years as he added them to his list of scapegoats for his country's ills. He sounded the call to actively oppress lesbians and gay men by calling them "worse than dogs and pigs," and promising to eradicate them from his government and his country. Members of Mugabe's government in echoing his sentiment have even called for flogging as "punishment for both male and female homosexuality."

"To welcome a man who foments such hate and violence to the City Hall of New York, a city that actively seeks to celebrate difference and diversity - a city that is proud of a long history of lesbian and gay activism, culture and community - is tantamount to spitting in the face of that community," said Patton. The next time a Councilmember wishes to spend time with someone as hateful as Mugabe, we they hope do so at their own district office," concluded Patton.

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 nearly twenty-two years, AVP has provided counseling and advocacy for thousands of victims of bias-motivated violence as well as for survivors of pick-up crimes, domestic violence, sexual assault, HIV-related violence, and police misconduct. AVP documents incidents of bias-motivated violence, educates the public about 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).