Statement: Action Group Right to Feel Safe is fed up and has taken the initiative to organize a march against hate crime. Right to feel safe consists of a group of friends of Damian Furtch who each have dealt with anti-gay violence in the past.
On an overcast spring day, a colorful contingent of community activists, supporters and friends assembled under the arch in NYC's Washington Square Park in response to the recent gay bashing of twenty-six year old Damien Furtch, in front of a McDonald's in Greenwich Village.
(Click on any image to enlarge)
Damien had just finished his shift at the Pink Teacup Restaurant in the wee hours of the morning of March 30th, 2011 where he was approached and subsequently attacked by two men, reportedly because he was wearing pink attire. The attack left Damien with two black eyes, other bruises and emotional scarring. Since the incident, one of the attackers has been arrested, while the other is still at large.
The protest march kicked off at Washington Square park and continued through the streets of Greenwich Village, stopping traffic and commanding attention from curious onlookers from all parts of the village.
The marchers, chanted loudly, blew whistles and made bold statements; some with their fashion choices, others with signs and slogans.
Bruncher's dining alfresco had front row seats to the protest march.
Reflection of the protest march.
Protester's marched through the city freely and openly, under a ray of brotherhood, sisterhood and a deep concern for the LGBT community.
At one point during the march, a female protester exclaimed that the African-American man pictured here "touched" her as he walked by. Members of the security detail called the Circle Crew approached the man in question, who explained everything off as an innocent mistake.
Peace prevailed and another LGBT protest commenced with a lingering determination to stand up to injustices happening in the LGBT community.
Member's of the Circle Crew provided security detail for the march.
The McDonald's restaurant where Damien Furtch was attacked. West 3rd street, Greenwich Village.
Damien Furtch
One of Damien's attackers is still at large. Tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or submit tips at nypdcrimestoppers.com or text info to 274637 (CRIMES), entering TIP577.
On October 28, LGBT community organizers, leaders, activists and members gathered in Washington Square park for a rally to STOP THE BS, with BS in this case meaning BULLYING and SUICIDE. Recently, there's been a spate of LGBT suicides, and the community mobilized to raise awareness, comfort one another, and to demand a STOP TO THE BS.
The most recent suicide happened just last week when twenty-six year old NYC activist Joseph Jefferson hung himself. Joseph's last Facebook message read: "I could not bear the burden of living as a gay man of color in a world grown cold and hateful towards those of us who live and love differently than the so-called 'social mainstream.' Belonging is one of the basic human needs, when people feel isolated and excluded from a sense of communion with others, they suffer..." To the members of New York's LGBT community, the loss of Joseph Jefferson struck too close to home, and very quickly, a series of community discussion's, celebration of life, and the STOP THE BS rally was organized by organizations including GMAD, GMHC, Ali Forney Center, Anti-Violence Project, FIERCE, and the Audre Lourde Project.
The moving, hour long rally to STOP THE BS was held on an unseasonably mild October day in Washington Square Park, as dusk approached. About one hundred people were in attendance for the rally that included, speeches, poetry readings, remembrances of the deceased and singing.
Kenyon Farrow, Queers for Economic Justice
Carl Siciliano, Founder Ali Forney Center
Steve Williams, Community Activist
Activists, (unidentified), Nathan James, and DJ Baker.
New York State Senator Tom Duane
Representatives of FIERCE
Vaughn E. Taylor-Akutagawa, Deputy Director GMAD
Close friends of Joseph Jefferson.
Tokes Osubu, Executive Director GMAD`
The rally culminated with a candlelight vigil.
According to Mental Health America, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender youth deal with additional violence targeting them everyday. They hear anti-gay slurs such as "faggot", "queer" and "homo" every 14 minutes. A study found that thirty one percent of LGBT youth had been threatened or injured at schools in the last year alone in the U.S.
According to www.TheTrevorProject.com, nearly nine out of ten LGBT youth experience harassment at school. There are two-to-three times more likely to be bullied than heterosexuals and are four times more likely to attempt suicide. Often times, LGBT youth contemplating suicide will display signs of distress. Here are signs to look out for:
--Withdrawal from family or friends
--Abusing drugs or alcohol
--Expression of a lack of future orientation
--Loss of interest in usual activities
For more information on the "STOP the BS" campaign, please contact GMAD at (718) 222-6300 ext.136
