Brody's Notes... Hate Crime Against NYC LGBT Community Centre: Pride Flag Desecrated

Desecrated Pride Flag Photo Courtesy of NYC LGBT Centre

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Apr 14 | Jeff Klein,  Government Relations Officer for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Centre of New York City released this statement from its Executive Director, Glennda Testone: 

"This morning our building staff arrived and discovered a burned rainbow flag hanging on one of the poster display cases outside our building. We called the NYPD, and they immediately dispatched detectives from the hate crimes unit and our local precinct. They are currently investigating the crime.

We at the Centre will not stand for anyone who thinks they can come into our community and try to intimidate us. We work hard to create a safe environment and provide a safe space for all LGBT New Yorkers. Hate and intolerance against us will not be accepted in New York, and it is so important the Centre is a safe space in our city. It is sad that such incidents still happen in this day and age, but we appreciate the NYPD and especially the hate crimes unit doing everything they can to ensure the safety of all LGBT people in New York.

We as a community must stand strong and together in the face of these hateful incidents, and while we did capture an image of the perpetrator on our surveillance camera, we are asking anyone who has additional information about this crime to contact the police directly at 1-800-577-TIPS."

Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer said, 

“This hate crime perpetrated against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Centre is a cowardly attempt at intimidation, and it will not be tolerated. The burning of a rainbow flag – a proud symbol of the LGBT movement - should be taken as seriously as if the American flag had been desecrated. I urge anyone with information about this despicable act to contact the NYPD at 1-800-577-TIPS.”

“I was appalled to learn of the recent hate crime at the LGBT Centre,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). “Burning a rainbow flag and placing it in front of the Center’s entrance is a cowardly act clearly intended to intimidate members of the LGBT community. As a proud cosponsor of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which was signed into law last fall, I deeply believe that there is no place in our society for such hateful treatment of human beings, especially not for their sexual orientation or gender identity. I commend the NYPD for its swift response to this incident and for appropriately treating it as a hate crime.”