GRUPOS GAY EN ESTADOS UNIDOS SOLIDARIOS CON PUERTO RICO

SOLIDARIOS CON LAS VÍCTIMAS EN PUERTO RICO...

Today is the “New York City Day Against Homophobia,” according to a declaration by the New York City Council, reported by GLAAD.

The announcement comes in response to the repeated attacks on members of the LGBT community in Puerto Rico. Seven LGBT people have been murdered in Puerto Rico over the past eight months.

A network of non-profits and elected officials in New York published a report called “New York City Stands in Solidarity with the Puerto Rican Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community,” that outlines the network’s efforts to address the violence affecting Puerto Rico’s LGBT communities.

“New York has always shared a special bond with Puerto Rico, and so, too, have our LGBT communities. When we said we would do everything within our power to raise awareness of and put an end to anti-LGBT hate and violence in Puerto Rico, we meant it,” said New York City Council Speaker, and out-lesbian Christine Quinn. “As this senseless and tragic violence continues, we must double up on our commitment and efforts.”

Puerto Rico has a population of nearly 4 million, and since 2002, the U.S. territory has seen the murders of 26 members of the LGBT community, the most recent last Wednesday.

365gay.com/ July13,2010/Celeste Lavin