Yet Another Gay Bashing in Manhattan

NY1 has the details:

A Manhattan teenager is facing hate crime charges after he allegedly assaulted a co-founder of a local gay rights group in Hell's Kitchen yesterday. Manuel Riquelme, 19, is charged with hate crime and aggravated harassment after allegedly hitting Eugene Lovendusky, 28, a Queens resident and co-founder of Queer Rising, an LGBT rights and advocacy group.

Police say the alleged assault took place at 3 a.m. Saturday on West 42nd Street between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. At the time, authorities say Lovendusky and his boyfriend and another friend were leaving the XL nightclub and walking towards a nearby subway stop. Police say a group of nine teenagers, including Riquelme, passed the group of three men and started calling them anti-gay slurs.

Riquelme allegedly slapped Lovendusky in the face and knocked off the victim's glasses, according to police. After the alleged incident, Lovendusky called police and officers found the teens in a pizzeria at West 40th Street and Ninth Avenue. Lovendusky did not seek medical attention. The incident is being investigated as a bias assault, according to police.

Lovendusky has appeared twice on JMG in the last two weeks as he was the co-organizer of the hate crimes rally at Madison Square Garden and he spoke at the vigil for murder victim Mark Carson.

NOTE: The attack on Lovendusky took place on Friday night, but I held my report until it was confirmed this afternoon by the media and the NYPD.

Say His Name: MARK CARSON

Hundreds of LGBT New Yorkers turned out tonight for a candlelight vigil held at the West Village corner where Mark Carson, 32, was murdered early yesterday morning. The event was organized by Adam Feldman and speakers included activists Eugene Lovendusky, Robert Pinter, and Brendan Fay. Among the local politicos in attendance were state Sen. Brad Hoylman, state Assemblyman Micah Kellner, and City Council candidate Corey Johnson.  Speaker after speaker exhorted the crowd: "Say his name!"  Everybody: "Mark Carson, Mark Carson, MARK CARSON!" 

NOTE: On Monday there will be a rally at the LGBT Community Center at 5:30PM, followed by a march to the scene of the murder.

PERSONAL:  Specials thanks go out to the many JMG readers who attended tonight. I just wish I'd gotten to meet you under better circumstances.

New Yorkers Rally Against Hate Crimes Outside Madison Square Garden

Hundreds of LGBT New Yorkers gathered outside Madison Square Garden last night in protest of the ongoing spree of violent anti-gay hate crimes, one of which occurred outside the famed sports venue. The protest was organized by Queer Rising and the LGBT Anti-Violence Project. Visit the Facebook page of Gay Marriage USA for many more photos and some of the great signs from the protest. In the top photo above is ACT UP and Occupy activist Brandon Cuicchi, whom I met last year when he was my Bear Week housemate in Provincetown. With the microphone in the second photo is Queer Rising organizer Eugene Lovendusky. In the bottom photo is Miss Stonewall 2013, Frostie Flakes.  (Via JMG reader Murray)

TOMOROW: NYC Anti-Hate Crime Rally

There have now been four anti-gay attacks in Manhattan just this month. Tomorrow Queer Rising and the NYC Anti-Violence Project will stage a rally in midtown. From the Facebook page:

JOIN THE RALLY: On Thursday May 16, beginning at 7:00pm, Queer Rising and members of the public will rally outside Madison Square Garden (specifically the SW-corner of 7th Avenue and W.33rd Street), demanding attention be paid to the protection of all New Yorkers on MSG vicinity during games, and to denounce any violence against the LGBTQ community. At 8:15pm, a short-list of participating community leaders with speak.

JOIN THE MARCH: After the Rally, we will march through Chelsea, going south along 8th Avenue, ending at Horatio Street/Jackson Square Park.

WHAT TO BRING: Posters declaring your position on anti-violence, safety on the streets, or the Knicks and MSG's responsibility to denounce anti-gay violence.

The latest attack came in the West Village.

A gay man was allegedly attacked outside of a popular New York nightspot in what appears to be a spate of citywide assaults. ABC 7 reports that the victim, who was not identified, was coming out of Pieces, a gay bar in Manhattan's West Village, when he was attacked by two men who were yelling gay slurs. He was not seriously hurt.

The NYC Anti-Violence Project has recapped all four attacks. Beginning next week and through Pride weekend, the group will conduct Friday Safety Nights training sessions in the affected neighborhoods.

Ruben Diaz At The AIDS Walk

Village Voice reporter Steven Thrasher just texted me the above photo of Queer Rising's fun with a Ruben Diaz standee at the AIDS Walk. I'll see some of you folks in the Bronx shortly.

Queer Rising And Ruben Diaz

The Village Voice's Steven Thrasher tips us to Queer Rising's plan for Sen. Ruben Diaz this weekend.

The kids over at Queer Rising, whose actions for marriage equality have been some of the more entertaining protests we've covered lately, were incensed when they heard of Diaz's plans to hold an anti-gay rally during the annual AIDS Walk. Faced with a conundrum about whether to counter-protest Diaz in the Bronx, or to support the largest fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS of the year, they've come up with a pretty fun solution. From their press release:

Queer Rising will have a large cut-out Ruben Diaz figure replete with "fabulous costume changes" that people will have the opportunity to take photos with at the AIDS Walk for $1.00. All proceeds of will be donated directly to GMHC, with suggested directing of funding to HIV/AIDS work specifically in the Bronx.

You can find Queer Rising and the ersatz Diaz on the AIDS Walk route at Riverside Drive and W. 95th beginning at 10:30am.

Queer Rising And Ruben Diaz

The Village Voice's Steven Thrasher tips us to Queer Rising's plan for Sen. Ruben Diaz this weekend.

The kids over at Queer Rising, whose actions for marriage equality have been some of the more entertaining protests we've covered lately, were incensed when they heard of Diaz's plans to hold an anti-gay rally during the annual AIDS Walk. Faced with a conundrum about whether to counter-protest Diaz in the Bronx, or to support the largest fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS of the year, they've come up with a pretty fun solution. From their press release:

Queer Rising will have a large cut-out Ruben Diaz figure replete with "fabulous costume changes" that people will have the opportunity to take photos with at the AIDS Walk for $1.00. All proceeds of will be donated directly to GMHC, with suggested directing of funding to HIV/AIDS work specifically in the Bronx.

You can find Queer Rising and the ersatz Diaz on the AIDS Walk route at Riverside Drive and W. 95th beginning at 10:30am.

Queer Rising To Protest Easter Parade

Queer Rising will protest the Catholic Church at this weekend's NYC Easter Parade, which as evidenced by the above photo typically draws a fair amount of gay men, drag queens, and fashionistas. Queer Rising cites a recent anti-gay marriage lobbying trip to Albany by Archbishop Timothy Dolan as prompting the protest. Via press release:

"It is good to see members of the LGBT community stand up to the prejudice and hatred of the Catholic Church. The Church's hatred of members of the LGBT community and their opposition to a women's right to choose must be confronted where ever possible. The blood of LGBT people victimized by violence belongs on the door steps of St. Patrick's Cathedral," said Allen Roskoff, an LGBT activist and the President of the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club.

Queer Rising will be joined at the protest by Connecting Rainbows. In recent weeks Queer Rising has staged traffic blockades around midtown Manhattan.

NEW YORK CITY: Five Queer Rising Activists Arrested In Traffic Blockade

Despite New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's vehement support for marriage equality and his recent promise for a "full court press" on the issue in the state Senate, activists from Queer Rising today stopped traffic outside of Cuomo's Manhattan office. Via press release:

Five people have been arrested for blocking rush-hour traffic just outside Governor Cuomo's Manhattan office, at East 41 Street and 3rd Avenue. The Queer Rising members unfurled a 75-foot banner that reads, “Marriage Equality NOW! Call Cuomo: 518-474-8390!!!” Five members of Queer Rising members handcuffed and chained themselves in the middle of the street and refused to leave the demonstration. Those arrested were: Natasha Dillon (26, lesbian activist); Kevin Donohue (51, gay Jewish activist); Melissa Kleckner (31, straight ally); Ali Lozano (20, lesbian student activist); Robert Moore (30, gay Mormon activist).

A separate action was staged simultaneously at Grand Central Terminal in which ten drag queens officiated mock same-sex weddings.

Tweet Of The Day - Queer Rising

This morning Queer Rising blocked the intersection of Manhattan's 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue with a giant yellow banner as part of their protest for marriage rights in New York state. Village Voice reporter Steven Thrasher tweets: "Reactions from those held up ranged From support to amusement to rage to confusion." I'll have photos and video later this morning.

UPDATE: Queer Rising sends us this press release.

The LGBTQ activist organization Queer Rising’s protest against New York’s discriminatory marriage laws ends in arrest after eight members refused to move from the intersection at 42nd St. and 6th Avenue. A 75-foot banner reading “NY DEMANDS MARRIAGE EQUALITY NOW!” was unfurled. Unwilling to wait any longer for equal rights and protection from the state of New York, the eight activists refused to let Manhattan go on with business as usual while thousands of LGBTQ families live as second-class citizens. LGBTQ people throughout the state are no longer willing to remain silent until the unjust marriage laws change. "It’s a sad thing that I have to go to such extreme lengths for rights that others were born with," said Frostie Flakes, one of the three arrested drag queens.

“We do not enjoy inconveniencing drivers on their hectic morning commute,” said Jake Goodman, a member of Queer Rising and another arrestee, “but we less enjoy living without the 1,324 protections and rights granted by state-recognized marriage. We only hope others stop the routine of their everyday lives to join us and demand marriage equality now.” Those arrested were: Kevin Beauchamp, blind gay activist; Nora Camp, queer activist; Natasha Dillon, lesbian activist; Frostie Flakes (aka Adam Siciliano), drag queen activist; Jake Goodman, queer activist; Honey LaBronx (aka Ben Strothmann), drag queen activist; Eugene Lovendusky, gay activist; Kitten Withuwip (aka Caldwell) drag queen activist.

(Photo via Queerty)

NEW YORK CITY: Activists Announce Plan To Block Traffic Over Marriage Rights

Perhaps taking their cue from GetEQUAL's blockade of the Las Vegas strip last summer, Queer Rising today issued a press release announcing their plan to blockade Manhattan traffic next Tuesday in a protest over marriage rights.

The LGBTQ activist organization Queer Rising has planned a March 1 demonstration to protest the lack of marriage equality in New York State. A protest and civil disobedience will occur in Midtown Manhattan on the morning of Tuesday, March 1, 2011. Complete details as to the location, action and Queer Rising participants will be released to media on the morning of March 1st. "The federal government has advanced the cause of marriage equality this week, with the decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act," said Queer Rising founding member Natasha Dillon. "But New York State shamefully lags behind on the issue. Marriage equality was defeated in December 2009 and the measure was not included in Governor Cuomo's 2011 Executive Budget. LGBTQ New Yorkers refuse to be persecuted, second-class citizens any longer!"

Bigotry Special At Target

Queer Rising made a customer service announcement at a Target in Madison, Wisconsin, much to the annoyance of store management.

Queer Rising Protests Sen. Ruben Diaz

Queer Rising's protest at Sen. Ruben Diaz' fundraiser in the Bronx last night was primarily meant to shame Democratic state Senate leader John Sampson for aligning himself with the state's most vile homophobe. However Sampson didn't show up, even though he was a co-sponsor of the event. Does Sampson finally get it? Or was he just afraid of being photographed while being screamed at by angry LGBT activists? Note how Diaz makes his entrance accompanied by a much younger woman who disdainfully blows kisses to the protesters.

THURSDAY: Queer Rising To Protest Fundraiser For Sen. Ruben Diaz

Via press release:

Queer Rising is outraged by New York State Senate Majority Leader John Sampson's decision to hold a fundraiser for anti-LGBTQ Senator Ruben Diaz of the Bronx on Thursday, August 12th. Senator Diaz led the Democratic revolt against Marriage Equality in the Senate last December, and he is a key target of a unified LGBTQ effort. In response, Queer Rising invites all to join us at "The Sampson & Diaz Bigot Gala" paparazzi protest. “Queer Rising is in the business of holding people accountable for their anti-LGBTQ actions, attendees of this function are supporting a bigot and need to be exposed.” Natasha Dillon, a founding member of Queer Rising.

Date: Thursday, August 12th
Time: 6 pm
Location: Maestro's Caterers: 1703 Bronxdale Avenue

VIDEO: Activists Crash Fundraiser Of Traitorous NY Dem Sen. Joe Addabbo

DADT Rally Underway At White House

Today's DADT rally is underway outside the White House, where Howard Dean has joined the protesters. Photos via Twitter. Follow along at #DADT.

SUNDAY: DADT Rally At White House

GetEQUAL, Queer Rising, and Talk About Equality will join forces for an anti-DADT rally at the White House this Sunday. Via press release:

WHO: Speakers Include Lt. Dan Choi, Capt. Jim Pietrangelo II, Lt. Robin Chaurasiya, Cpl. Evelyn Thomas, Spc. Jarrod Chlapowski, Maj. Mike Almy, Capt. Tanya Domi, Cpl. Brett Edward Stout, Sgt. Brian Fricke, Sgt. Justin Elzie

WHERE: Lafayette Park across from The White House

WHEN: Sunday, May 2, 2010, 12:00 noon (EDT) to 3:00 pm (EDT)

A solidarity rally will take place on the same day at the Phoenix office of Sen. John McCain.

Queer Rising At Sen. Bill Nelson's Office

Lost in all the Dan Choi hoopla on Thursday was the below action by a member of Queer Rising at Sen. Bill Nelson's (D-FL) office in Orlando. Nelson opposes the repeal of DADT. Back in 1977 as a member of the Florida House, Nelson spoke at my high school graduation. I used to really like him. Watch this clip to the end.

Charges Dismissed For Queer Rising 4

A large group of supporters appeared at a Manhattan courthouse yesterday to hear a judge dismiss all charges against the four members of Queer Rising who were arrested last week in a marriage equality protest. Via press release:

Four members of the group Queer Rising, a group which advocates for civil rights for the LGBT community accepted pleas of ‘adjournment contemplating dismissal’ (ACD) today from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. The individuals were charged with Obstructing Government Administration as well as two charges of Disorderly Conduct for chaining themselves together in front of the New York City Marriage License Bureau on February 12, 2010, in attempt to bring attention to the fact that the office denies LGBT New Yorkers the opportunity to file for marriage certificates. Justin Elzie, Alan Bounville, Gabriel Yuri Bollag and Jake Goodman accepted the offer which would allow them to dismiss all charges after 6 months assuming they are not arrested again during this time. Ted Bohn, co-counsel for the defendants, said "As long as the State of New York maintains a policy which codifies that the love between two men or two women is inferior to the love between a man and a woman, these actions will continue. This was only the beginning. We are grateful, however, to Cy Vance for recognizing that those arrested in furtherance of civil rights should not be treated like criminals."

Queer Rising: Four Arrested At NYC Marriage License Bureau Protest

According to Queer New York, four members of the new LGBT activism group Queer Rising were arrested at this morning's protest at the NYC marriage license bureau in Manhattan. Their statement, in part:

On Friday, February 12 from 8:00-10:00am, LGBT activist group Queer Rising lead a crowd of impassioned protestors in a Valentine’s Day action outside the new 24,000 square-foot New York City Marriage Bureau Office (141 Worth Street) to make a powerful statement in support of marriage equality for all LGBT Americans. Resulting in their arrest, Alan Bounville, Jake Goodman, Justin Elzie and Gabriel Yuri Bollag, all members of Queer Rising, performed a non-violent civil disobedience. This unprecedented protest, compared to marriage equality protests of the past, significantly raised the stakes in terms of its political organization:

· Alan Bounville, Jake Goodman, Justin Elzie and Gabriel Yuri Bollag chained and pad-locked themselves to the entrance railing, subsequently blocking entry to the marriage bureau.
· A gathering of under 100 same-sex marriage equality proponents for a press conference and rally in the park opposite the bureau.
· The application – and subsequent rejection – of over 20 same-sex couples hoping to obtain a marriage license inside of the bureau.
· The application – and subsequent approval – of a lesbian and gay man, whom according to New York State law may legally marry each other, for a marriage license.

“New York City is home to the Stonewall Riots and in that tradition we are here to say that equality doesn’t arrive through the ballot box. The bankrupt strategy of putting all efforts into electing so-called ‘friendly’ officials has failed. We must shift to building a grassroots, national movement that demands full equality by any means necessary. Today, through our symbolic marriage applications, rally and civil disobedience, that message was quite clear.

More photos at Good As You.