he's created an atmosphere that fosters hate.
"We have a president who stirs up hate, and it's unacceptable. Everybody's been welcome to this community," said Assembly Member Al Taylor, who represents New York's 71st Assembly District.
Nash's boyfriend Omar Matos wasn't going to let the flag burning bring him down, saying, "If anything it makes me stronger, it makes me want to hold my boyfriend's hand even more, kiss him even more, and appreciate him even more, how lucky we are to live in a country who allows us to be who we are." "It's a celebration of what means to be black, gay, lesbian, transgendered." burn a flag that symbolizes acceptance for everyone who's born and is expressing their love."Īlibi "is an incredibly welcoming space," Nash said. I have chills thinking that someone would think it was ever okay to make that expression. Dwayne Nash, a regular who lives nearby, said, "It's incredibly disheartening. Neighbors and patrons of the bar were shocked at the act. Rather than divide New Yorkers, this despicable act will only strengthen our commitment to tolerance, equality and justice for every individual." I am directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to immediately provide the NYPD with any resources needed to assist in an investigation of this incident. Red Stripe: Moving between male and female genders. Yellow Stripes: Genders outside of the male-female binary. White Stripe: The combination of all genders. Its use of different colors represents the wide gender spectrum. There is no place for hate in New York and those responsible for this repugnant behavior must be held accountable. The Pangender Pride Flag is one of the most colorful flags of the LGBTQ+ community. This was a despicable and cowardly act made worse by the fact that it happened on the eve of Pride month. In a statement, the governor said, "I am disgusted by the burning of a Pride flag outside an LGBTQ bar in Harlem early yesterday morning. Governor Andrew Cuomo ordered the NY State Police to assist with the investigation. Minko told NY1 that "he and a handful of customers ran outside and put the small fire out," while police also told WCBS 2 that the rain also helped tamp down the fire. Police responded to a call outside the Alibi Lounge on West 139th. "When we look out," Minko recalled to WCBS 2, "we could see both flags completely blazing.” New York police have launched an investigation to a possible hate crime after two Pride flags were burned outside a Harlem bar.
Minko said someone came into the bar, located at 2376 Adam Clayton Boulevard, around 12:30 a.m.
"We have a lot of people that are part of the LGBTQ community, and it's hard to see other people's property being destroyed for having different beliefs from someone else's," said Benson.Thanks to the for doing a great job standing under the rain to help find the a$$hole who set our rainbow flags on fire! The symbol of our pride of being part of the LGBTQ community! We are proud! #Harlem #gaybar #gayparty #gayinstagram #pride #pridemonth #pridenyc ?️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️??️?Ī post shared by Alibi Lounge on at 10:13pm PDT She says they don't see many possible hate crimes in Kaysville. "So, this is going to be investigated as a hate crime."īenson says the note had several Bible scriptures condemning the LGBTQ community, as well as other derogatory terms. "With the note that was left behind, it was very clear that there was some discrimination going on for the LGBTQ community," said Kaysville officer Lexi Benson. As an organization that strongly supports the LGBT community, pride, and more we will work to bring lesbians, gay-men, bisexuals, transgender individuals and allies together to educate the world on issues important to the LGBT community, commemorate our heritage, celebrate our culture and strive for equality. Pride flag burning turns into possible hate crime It was originally a simple criminal mischief call for responding officers but things quickly changed. Thursday to reports of the flag being cut from a homeowner's flagpole and set on fire in the street. And, in New York City, the pivot from one to the other isn’t much of a pivot at all. Kaysville police were called to a home on the west side of the city around 4:45 a.m. July is national pride month at least on the Fourth. KAYSVILLE - On the second day of Pride Month, police are investigating a possible hate crime after a rainbow pride flag supporting the LGBTQ community was burned and a derogatory note left behind.