- Historic Advances for LGBTQ Survivors
- Recent Homicides in Queens and Manhattan
- Report Back for Creating Change
- AVP has a new look!
- Upcoming Programs and Events
On February 12th, the U.S. Senate for passed Senate Bill S.47 which re-authorizes a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that includes explicit sexual orientation and gender identity protections by a vote of 78 to 22. This historic legislative victory for LGBTQ communities comes as a direct result of tireless efforts on the part of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs – which AVP coordinates – and our national partners, including the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, the Human Rights Campaign and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force among others.
This legislative action follows a landmark report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released in January, which represents the first nationally representative prevalence estimates of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence among those who identify as lesbian, gay, or bisexual in the United States.
AVP’s Executive Director, Sharon Stapel has been speaking out in the media about these two historic advances, and the need for the House of Representatives to swiftly take up, and pass, a VAWA that protects all people. Read Sharon’s OpEd in the Hill, and quotes in ABC News, and Bloomberg Media reports.
An LGBTQ VAWA must now pass the House of Representatives before LGBTQ people and all survivors of violence are protected. This past weekend, AVP’s Executive Director, Sharon Stapel, spoke at a VAWA Press Conference organized by Senator Kirstin Gillibrand and Representative Grace Meng. Read more about the Press Conference here.
Recent Homicides in Queens and Manhattan
In the last three weeks, we have seen three brutal homicides of gay men in New York City. On February 11th, Joseph Benzinger, age 54, was found dead at the Crown Motor Inn on Queens Boulevard, an intimate partner of the victim has been arrested in connection to his death. Just weeks before, on January 28th, Charles Romo, age 48, was found dead in his Hamilton Heights apartment in Manhattan. Three homeless people whom Romo knew have been arrested and charged in his homicide. In a separate incident on January 25th, David Rangel, age 53, was found dead in his apartment in Jackson heights, Queens. Police are currently investigating Rangel’s death as a homicide, and believe he may have met his assailant online. AVP is working with the NYPD, the District Attorney’s Offices, elected officials, community based organizations and community leaders in all five boroughs to investigate and respond to these incidents.
These homicides have occurred at the same time that AVP has seen an increase in reports of violence from community members using online sites and apps. In response to recent incidents and reports, AVP held an event on February 13, REAL TALKS! Jackson Heights: Staying Safe with Online Pick-Ups, in collaboration with the LGBT Justice Project of Make the Road NY. We have also been speaking out in the media including CBS News, DNAinfo, the New York Daily News, WPIX11 NEWS and more to raise awareness of these homicides and promote safety for our communities.
The stigma and shame surrounding online dating and hook ups makes our communities less safe. AVP encourages you to use our Safety Tips when using dating sites and apps and stay tuned for more community events and ways to engage around this important issue.
Creating Change Report Back
From January 23rd to January 27th, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs attended the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s Annual Creating Change Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. NCAVP presented four workshops on topics ranging from rapid incident response organizing, safety strategies for hooking up, sexual violence in LGBTQH communities, and anti-LGBTQH police violence organizing models from across the country. NCAVP also hosted a member luncheon, held a strategy session for its Governance Committee, and created and distributed safety tips for all 3,000 plus conference attendees.
To learn more about NCAVP’s current work and future training opportunities please contact Chai Jindasurat, NCAVP Coordinator: cjindasurat@avp.org.
AVP has a new Look!
In case you haven’t visited us online in a while, AVP launched a new website last month! We’re proud of the new look, but even more excited about the new ways it allows us to engage with our communities. Check out or Online Reporting form for anonymously reporting violence, our Volunteer Orientation form for getting involved in our work, ourWays to Give page for the most recent donor information, and our monthly Events Calendar for staying up to date with our programs and activities. AVP recently joined Twitter too – another great way to engage with us and our work!
Upcoming Programs and Events
- AVP’s Volunteer Orientation is February 21st from 7PM to 9PM. Join us, get to know us better, and get involved!
- Find out more about AVP's B.R.E.A.T.H.E. Support Group for LGBTQ Survivors of Sexual Violence which begins on March 5. Participants must attend an intake session by March 4th prior to admittance into the group.
- Learn more about AVP's H.E.A.L. Support Group for family and loved ones of LGBTQ survivors of Intimate Partner Violence which starts on March 14th. Participants must attend an intake session by March 12 prior to admittance into the group.
Stay Connected
Learn more about AVP on our Facebook page!
Follow AVP on Twitter
Support our work by donating today!
No comments:
Post a Comment