“We  are  working  closely  with  the  NEW YORK CITY ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT (AVP),  SCAN  NEW YORK, NYS Senator Jose M. Serrano, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., UNION COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, the BRONX PRIDE COALITION,  IN THE LIFE MINISTRIES,  and the NYPD, all of  whom support our efforts, in developing programs to diminish the ignorance about our LGBTQ communities that results in homophobia, transphobia, and hatred,” Peter C. Frank, the Center’s secretary, stated.

Also in attendance were Chanel Lopez (New York City Anti-Violence Project’s Community-Based Counsel/Advocate), Minister Nakia Alford-Saunders,  Cesar Sanchez  (Bronx Pride Coalition representative),  Cynthia Thompkins, Esq.(founder of WAVE-NYC (women against violence everywhere), president of the 46th precinct community council, activist,and community leader), and Det. Thomas Verni (NYPD LGBT liaisons office). The three victims of hate crimes who were scheduled to speak –  did not appear. 

The Center announces  six outreach initiatives to combat anti-LGBTQ sentiment, homophobia, and transphobia:

First, we will bring AVP’s “Friday Community Safety Nights” program to The Bronx starting Friday, June 21.  Second, we will hold monthly town hall meetings, beginning in August.  Third, we are partnering with SCAN-NY’s GLAS program to bring their “Over the Rainbow” panels to The Bronx and some of our Town Halls.. 

Next is our 2013 Bronx LGBTQ Pride & Health Fair on July 20

Next, we are co-sponsoring self-defense workshops with NYC Council Speaker Quinn’s office that will be held in The Bronx. Finally, we will be sharing information and working on other programs with our partners and sponsors.

“We welcome the input of the community to guide us. Anyone can join our Center as a member and have a voice in our operations. We also want to let our LGBTQ communities know that there is a new center—a new resource—for them,” Moss advised. “Our initiatives will become a fixture in The Bronx for as long as they are needed,” Frank added.

Borough President Diaz proclaimed, “Our LGBT community is filled with hardworking, loving individuals who work each day as teachers, doctors, business men and women to uplift our neighborhoods and help shape the minds of our children. These are individuals who are being judged and harassed by close-minded criminals simply because of how they choose to live their lives. Enough is enough. We need to put a stop to these senseless acts of violence against our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community. We need to educate our communities with outreach programs like the ones being launched by the Bronx LGBTQ Center. The Bronx continues to be a partner in the fight for the human rights of our brothers and sisters in the LGBT community.”

“The LGBT community consists of vibrant, talented and hardworking individuals who are our neighbors, our friends, and our family members. These individuals should be celebrated and respected like all members of our community. It is extremely unfortunate that violent hate crimes targeting the LGBT community still occur. We must continue to work together to prevent and discourage hate crimes and create a safe environment for all members of society regardless of sexual orientation,” Senator Serrano exclaimed.

“AVP will continue working to create safety in all communities across New York City. We want to bring safety to every neighborhood and we encourage everyone to join us,” said  Sharon Stapel,  Executive Director,  New York City Anti-Violence Project, “We also know that people are deeply affected by this violence and AVP is here through our free, confidential, bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline: 212-714-1141.” For more information about AVP’s Community Safety Nights, visit AVP’s web site at

“>www.avp.org/get-help/report-violence.

The Bronx LGBTQ Center hopes to begin operating its helpline in the near future. A number has already been reserved for that purpose: 347-LGBT-HLP. Currently, calls to this number are sent directly to voice mail.