New York City Seeing Spike In anti-LGBT Violence!

When a group of individuals is stigmatized by people in part because of the need for power, that risks creating an atmosphere whereby those individuals are targeted for attacks and violence. In school, this is often simply bully, and often does not elevate or escalate to the point where someone ends up in the hospital or dead from a beating- though suicides are a common way that such bullying becomes deadly. Unfortunately, that is not the case of hate violence done by adults.

The New York City Anti-Violence Project or AVP has expressed alarm at the recent violence in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island which has targeted the LGBTQ Community or those perceived as being part of the Community. This violence has left two dead and one badly wounded. On 22 February, Barie Shortell, a twenty-nine year old gay man, was attacked a block from his home in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. A small group shouting anti-gay slurs approached and beat him. According to the AFP press release:

Shortell was hospitalized and required surgery due to the severity of his injuries and has been working with AVP. “My experience has led me to see the greatest importance in connecting the types of violence to which we can all be victims” said Barie Shortell in response to his brutal attack. “Violence does not discriminate based on race, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or anything else and we must continue to open this important dialogue to create a safer community absent of hate and fear.”

They report that the Barie Response is organizing a benefit for Barie to help him pay off his medial bills.