\u201cThe act of hate demonstrated outside the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in the Village is unacceptable,\u201d said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. \u201cI was angered and deeply disturbed when I heard someone would go to such great lengths to burn a rainbow flag and pin it to the outside of the building. The Center has long been a safe space for LGBT people and will continue to serve New Yorkers who need specific health and social resources. We will continue to combat hate through education to ensure spaces like the Center stay safe. We will continue to speak out against hate and to ensure spaces like the Center stay safe. Our community will continue to stand up against all acts of hate.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cI was deeply aggrieved and angered to hear that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center was vandalized under the cover of darkness Tuesday night,” said New York State Senator Tom Duane. \u201cThe Center represents an entire community whose sense of security has been violated by this targeted violence, but we will not be intimidated and we will not be victimized. The Center is working with the New York City Police Department’s 6th precinct and Hate Crimes Unit and the New York City Anti-Violence Project to respond to this apparent hate crime and I am confident that those responsible will be brought to justice. This event is only the latest indicator of the continued need to reduce ignorance, hatred and bigotry in our society.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am appalled by the recent hate crime incident at the LGBT Community Center,\u201d said Assembly Member Danny O\u2019Donnell. \u201cLeaving a burned pride flag at the symbolic doorstep of our community is an act of intimidation that should be condemned by every New Yorker. I am grateful that the New York Police Department is taking this incident seriously and will make every effort to catch the culprit and bring them to justice. As an out and proud member of this community and patron of the LGBT Center, I will do everything in my power to ensure that the Center remains a safe space.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe LGBT community will not be intimidated by acts of vandalism directed at this important institution in our community,\u201d said Assembly Member Deborah Glick. \u201cWe stand united with the broader Village community to ensure the safety all those who visit the Center.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis chilling act of hate reminds us that despite the gains the LGBT community has made violent intolerance is still a very real and disquieting aspect of our society,\u201d said Assembly Member Micah Z. Kellner. \u201cIt is critical that justice is delivered swiftly because it sends a message\u2014particularly to LGBT youth\u2014that civil society does not align itself with bigotry, but rather embraces the diversity that makes our city great. As an openly bisexual man, I understand acutely how important these messages are in the social and emotional health of the younger members of our community. I am pleased to learn that the NYPD has acted appropriately in the investigation of this deplorable hate crime.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe LGBT community is a strong and proud community that will not be intimidated by cowardly acts of ignorance. Intolerance like this should not be tolerated by anyone.\u201d -Assemblymember Matthew Titone<\/p>\n
\u201cThis hateful act is yet another reminder of how far we have to go toward making our City one that is free of hatred and biggotry at all times and for all people,\u201d said Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer of Queens. \u201cI am confident that the NYPD, along with the help of New Yorkers, will find those responsible for this attempt at intimidation.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThe act of hate demonstrated outside the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in the Village is unacceptable,\u201d said Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. \u201cI was angered and deeply disturbed when I heard someone would go to such great lengths to burn a rainbow flag and pin it to the outside of the building. The Center has long been a safe space for LGBT people and will continue to serve New Yorkers who need specific health and social resources.<\/p>\n
…<\/p>\n