Last week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced more than $51 million in aid to organizations most at risk of becoming victims of hate crimes. Two of which he groups are the LGBTQ+ and HIV-affected communities.
Multiple mass shootings occurred in public areas considered safe for these groups.
Years before the November 2022 tragedy at Club Q in Colorado Springs, the New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) tracked how hate groups were working to endanger the LGBTQ+ community. I started.
The result is the group’s recently published report, “Under Attack: LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces Need National Assessment.”
Beverly Tillery, executive director of the Anti-Violence Project, discussed the findings: capital tonight.
“We have been working on this issue for the last few years … specifically how white supremacists and white supremacist groups are targeting LGBTQ organizations to influence and spread hatred across the country.” said Tillery. “We’ve seen this escalate over the years, especially during Pride season and most recently with attacks against an organization called Drug Story Hour.”
Groups including the Proud Boys instigated and mobilized hundreds of thousands of people across the country to attack Drug Story Hour events, reports said.
The attacks come amid hundreds of bills across the country restricting the rights of transgender people.
The report’s recommendations include security enhancements, some of which will be funded by funds allocated by Governor Ho-chol.
But Tillary says more can and should be done.
“A lot of organizations want bulletproof glass and security systems, but also resources to train their communities,” she says.
