This Week's Coming Events

HAPPY PRIDE! There are two events this week we're co-sponsoring:

WEDNESDAY, 5-9pm: "NO LONGER IN MY NAME: A Faith-Based Response to Faith-Based Intolerance" 2nd Floor, United Nations Church Center, 777 United Nations Plaza, NYC. For details, seehttps://www.facebook.com/events/577126332318418/

SATURDAY, 6-9pm: "YOU ARE NOT ALONE" film screening with Q&A session by the producer/director. The Bronx Library Center, 310 East Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY. For details, seehttps://www.facebook.com/events/525948247460431/

For more info, contact Peter at 914-417-9579 or e-mail secretary@bronxlgbtqcenter.org.

We'll see you there!

Bronx LGBTQ Center Launches Six Outreach Initiatives to Combat Anti-LGBTQ Sentiment

June 7, 2013, The Bronx, NY: “The Bronx LGBTQ Center (the “Center”) has gathered you here to announce a series of outreach initiatives to combat the anti-LGBTQ sentiment that begets incidents of hate violence highlighted by recent media reports of thirteen anti-gay attacks in Manhattan since May, as well as let the community know that we are here, and we are here to stay,” Tym Moss, the Center's president, announced.

“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, Reverend James Dusenbury, Pastor of 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^st. 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^th at Crotona Park, where speak-outs and safety demonstrations will be held. 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 http://www.avp.org/.

“Daily, LGBTQ folk confront such hatred, in every borough of our city. SCAN New York, and, its GLASS (Gay, Lesbian and Straight Supporters) participants call for all New Yorkers to stand together in support of our LGBTQ community,” noted Lew Zuchman, Executive Director, SCAN New York and Billy Green, Director, SCAN GLASS.

New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn was unable to attend but provided a statement in support of the Center's efforts and condemned the recent attacks: “I commend the Bronx LGBTQ Center for its advocacy on behalf of the people of the Bronx,” said City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn. “Like many New Yorkers, I am outraged and appalled by attacks against members of our community. Those who attack us may believe that they will succeed in driving our community back into the closet. What they don't know is that they are only strengthening our resolve to demand full equality and security. We will not retreat in fear. The New York City Council has announced a number of initiatives to keep New York City safe for all New Yorkers, including an anti-hate crimes initiative in city schools, supporting AVP’s Friday Community Safety Nights Out, a public awareness campaign in partnership with NYC & Co., an Interfaith Weekend Against Hate, and self-defense classes for the LGBT Community. I thank president Tym Moss and everyone at the Bronx LGBTQ Center for calling attention to this important issue.”

The Center, AVP, SCAN-NY, and the NYPD LGBT Liaison's Office encourage anyone who has been the victim of or a witness to bias crime to immediately report it to the Center or local police precinct. Additionally, incidents can be reported to the Hate Crimes Task Force at 646 610 5267, the NYPD LGBT Liaison's Office at 212-614-6748. If people are uncomfortable reporting to the police, they can call the New York City Anti-Violence Project's free and confidential 24-hour bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at 212-714-1141, where you can speak with a trained counselor and seek support. You also can report violence online, anonymously, at http://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.

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Media Alert - Our First Press Conference!

Bronx LGBTQ Center to Address Spike in Anti-LGBTQ Violence

On Friday, June 7th, the new Bronx LGBTQ Center will address a recent and disturbing spike in the number of incidents of anti-LGBTQ hate violence that have been committed in NYC. 

At the event, the Bronx LGBTQ Center's president, Tym Moss, with the support of Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr., will announce outreach initiatives that it will undertake to combat the sentiment that begets such attacks.

In addition to Mr. Moss and Borough President Diaz, other community leaders and organizations--including victims of these attacks--will speak on this issue and join in support of the Center's outreach initiatives: 

• Tym Moss, president of the Bronx LGBTQ Center
• Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.
• New York State Senator Jose M. Serrano
• Kevin Kiadii and Nick Stryker (victims)
• Chanel Lopez, New York City Anti-Violence Project's Community-Based Counsel/Advocate
• Cesar Sanchez, Bronx Pride Coalition representative
• Pastor James Dusenbury, In The Life Ministries and Minister Nakia Alford-Saunders, members of the faith community
• Cynthia Thompkins, Esq., founder of WAVE-NYC (women against violence everywhere), president of the 46th precinct community council, activist, and community leader

WHEN:       Friday, June 7, 2013
WHERE:     Rotunda of the Bronx County Building, 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY (due to the predicted rain, the press conference has been moved inside to the Rotunda of the Bronx County Building)
TIME:         1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
CONTACT:  Peter C. Frank, secretary of the Bronx LGBTQ Center, 914-417-9579 or secretary@bronxlgbtqcenter.org

LGBTQ Pride Events

The Bronx LGBTQ Center is pleased to announce the following events we'll be participating in for LGBTQ this summer. We need people to show up & help out, so please get in touch with us if you'd like to join us! You can call Peter @ 914-417-9579 or e-mail him at secretary@bronxlgbtqcenter.org.

Please come out and join us and get The Bronx represented at these events!

Saturday, June 1st @ 12pm: Staten Island Pride Parade. The parade kicks off at Central Ave and Slosson Terrace, then winds through the streets of St. George. Show your support along the parade route!!! The festival follows with entertainment, vendors, and amusements in Tompkinsville Park (across from the Staten Island Center!) from 1 - 5 pm.

Sunday, June 2nd @ 12pm: Queens Pride Parade & Festival. The parade starts at 12 Noon and runs on 37th Avenue from 85 Street to 75th Street. Grand Marshals this year are Vivian Cook, New York State Assembly & PRYDE/Make the Road NY. The festival takes place from 12 Noon to 6PM at 37th Road between 74th and 77th Streets, featuring a performance by George Lamond and our very own Lovari (who serves ex officio to our Board of Directors) on the Queens Pride stage.

Wednesday, June 12th @ 5pm: No Longer In My Name: A Faith-Based Response to Faith-Based Intolerance in Uganda. The Unitarian Universalist -United Nation’s Office and the UUA LGBT Uganda Fund in collaboration with the United Nations NGO Committee for Human Rights Cordially invite you to: No Longer In My Name: A Faith-Based Response to Faith-Based Intolerance in Uganda at the United Nations Church Center in support of progressive faith efforts in Uganda. A special screening of the new film, God Loves Uganda will be provided, along with an interfaith clergy panel discussion and messages from LGBTQI Ugandans and faith leaders. The Bronx LGBTQ Center is an official co-sponsor of this event, which takes place at the United Nations Church Center on East 44th Street.

Saturday, June 15th @ 6pm: Film Screening of "You Are Not Alone". We are proud to co-sponsor this June 15, 2013 film screening of "You Are Not Alone" for pride month. This powerful documentary explores the high rates of depression among Black gay men and exposes the raw truths behind their devastatingly silent pain."You Are Not Alone" is is co-produced by NAACP Image Award winner Stanley Bennett Clay and NYABJ Award winner, journalist and national gay mental health activist Antoine B. Craigwell. Mr. Craigwell will be in attendance at the screening and available to answer questions about his film after the screening. The screening will take place at THE BRONX LIBRARY CENTER, 310 East Kingsbridge Road, Bronx, NY from 6pm-9pm.

Friday, June 21st @ 6pm: Community Outreach Walks. Currently in development, with details to be provided in the near future, the first leg of our outreach efforts to combat homophobia, transphobia, and anti-LGBTQ hate violence, our efforts will be supported by a number of organizations and individuals. Come join us and work on making the Bronx safer for all LGBTQ individuals! Further details TBA -- stay tuned to our web site & social networking sites!

Saturday, June 22nd @ 12pm: Montefiore LGBTQ Pride Health Fair. Each year Montefiore Medical Center hosts a pride health fair to raise awareness about LGBTQ health. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, June 22nd from 12-5pm on Gunhill Road at receiving. There will be free health screenings, information, music and performances.

Sunday, June 30th @ 12pm: New York City LGBT Pride Parade. We'll be marching down Fifth avenue with the hundreds of other organizations. Come join us and help represent The Bronx! Edith Windsor, Harry Belafonte and Earl Fowlkes will be leading the 2013 March down Fifth Avenue, starting at 42nd street and ending at the Greenwich & Christopher Streets.

Wednesday, July 10th @ 9pm: The Will Clark Show feat. P*rno Bingo (benefiting the Bronx LGBTQ Center). Featuring performances by Diva Jackie Dupree, Cisco, and Tym Moss. Will Clark is graciously hosting one of his events to benefit our new Center! The event runs from 9pm-12am. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Saturday, July 20th @ 12pm: The 2013 Bronx LGBTQ Pride & Health Fair. This year's pride event will include a full-fledged health fair, so come out, be proud, be loud, and support the new Bronx LGBTQ Center while getting some health screenings, checkups, vaccinations, and just having a grand old time! Full details, including performers, is at http://bronxpride2013.eventbrite.com/.

P.O. Box 356

Bronx, NY 10463

(347) LGBT-BX1

http://bronxlgbtqcenter.org/

info@bronxlgbtqcenter.org

http://facebook.com/bronxlgbtqcenter

Bronx LGBTQ Center Joins the May 20^th
March & Rally Against Anti-LGBTQ Hate Violence

May 20, 2013, The Bronx, NY: The recent media coverage of anti-gay attacks in Manhattan over the past few weeks highlights a problem the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) community ​combats every day: homophobia and transphobia exists in our society that results in violence and goes unreported, especially in The Bronx.

“The Bronx LGBTQ Center (the “Center”) strongly condemns these attacks that have culminated in the tragic death of Mark A. Carson, as well as all attacks against members of the LGBTQ community. These attacks are the result of the hatred, fear, and ignorance that run rampant in our society and have resulted in 90% of NYC's LGBTQ public high school students being bullied,” Tym Moss, the Center's president, stated.

The Center will participate in this evening's planned march at 5:30 p.m. from the NYC LGBTQ Center (208 West 13th Street) to the site where Mark Carson was gunned down in a senseless act of hate violence: the intersection of West 8th Street and Sixth Avenue. There, Moss will join with other community leaders in denouncing this hateful act and comment on the the daily struggles the LGBTQ community faces against the hatred that spurs this sort of violence.

“Media attention has recently focused around five anti-gay attacks that have taken place in the past few weeks in Manhattan, including the tragic and senseless gunning down of Mark A. Carson on Friday night. Unfortunately, this sort of hatred is something that many LGBTQ individuals face all too frequently in their lives but because it's not happening in Manhattan's more trendy gay-centric neighborhoods, it doesn't garner the media attention these five recent attacks have,” Hon. William K. Schmidt, the Center's vice-president, lamented.

“The Bronx is perhaps the most homophobic of New York City's five boroughs, and anti-bias attacks rarely make the news here,” Rev. Carmen Hernandez, one of the Center's founding board members, added. Travis Hodges, the Center's Treasurer, commented, “LGBT individuals face adversity and violence in both rural and urban areas. This violence is not just confined within our boarders, as evidenced by recent events in London. However, only attacks occurring in the gay-centric urban centers such as NYC or London get media attention while attacks in the outer boroughs, suburbs, or rural areas rarely receive a voice.”

In a discussion with the NYPD Community Affairs Citywide LGBT Liaison's Office, Detective Thomas Verni said he was deeply saddened by Carson's murder and disturbed by the recent cluster of bias attacks. He urged anyone who has been the victim of what they believe to be a bias attack to go to their local police precinct or to contact the NYPD LGBT Liaisons, the NYC Anti-Violence Project, or the Hate Crimes Task Force directly, so those crimes can properly be documented and investigated as soon as possible.

“We cannot rely solely on law enforcement to handle hate crimes; we need to prevent them. It is time for our elected officials and community leaders to take a bold stance against homophobia and transphobia. It is time for every New York City resident to say enough is enough to the ignorance and hatred that devalues human life within ALL of the five boroughs. Mark Carson was a young man with a family, loved ones, and a future. Mark deserved to live a fulfilled life into his senior years. Mark should be here preparing to march in Pride instead of our community preparing to march against the hatred that took his life,” stated Cynthia Thompkins, Esq., a community leader in The Bronx who serves ex officio to the Bronx LGBTQ Center's Board of Directors.

“Mark A. Carson paid the ultimate price for others' ignorance and hatred. While gun violence is something many individuals are concerned with these days, we need to make a serious, concerted effort to combat the ignorance that results in the fear and hatred that fuels homophobia and transphobia,” Peter C. Frank, the Bronx LGBTQ Center's secretary, said in recent discussions. He added, “We are working with our current partners, including the Anti-Violence Project, SCAN-NY, Union Community Health Center, the NYC LGBTQS Chamber of Commerce, and the NYPD LGBT Liaison's Office, and welcome the support and solidarity of others as we work on one of our core mission components: eradicating homophobia and transphobia."

“We at AVP have heard from so many people who want to respond to and speak out about this violence. After Monday’s march, AVP will continue to work to create safety in all communities across New York City through our Friday Community Safety Nights that will begin on this Friday, May 24th. We want to bring safety to every neighborhood in New York City 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 for you through our free, confidential, bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline: 212-714-1141.”

To this end, the Bronx LGBTQ Center has joined forces with NYC's Anti-Violence Project to promote Friday Community Safety Nights beginning Friday, May 24^th and continuing on Friday nights throughout Pride month (through the end of June). Details about Friday Community Safety Nights that will take place in The Bronx will be released via our social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, Google+). For information about “Friday Community Safety Nights” throughout NYC, please visit the AVP's web site at http://www.avp.org/.

“The Bronx LGBTQ Center stands in full support and solidarity with the AVP, NYC LGBT Center, and Speaker Quinn and proudly co-sponsors and will participating in this evening's march. This is the sort of event we all never wish we have to participate in again,” Moss proclaimed.

The Center, along with the AVP and the NYPD LGBT Liaison's Office, encourage anyone who has been the victim of or witnessed a bias crime to report it immediately. In addition to reporting it to your local police precinct, incidents of bias crime can be reported to the Hate Crimes Task Force at 646-610-5267, the NYPD LGBT Liaison's Office at 212-614-6748 or by e-mail at thomas.verni@nypd.org or michelle.martindale@nypd.org, or contact the Anti-Violence Project's free and confidential 24-hour bilingual (English/Spanish) hotline at 212-714-1141, where you can speak with a trained counselor and seek support, or you can report violence anonymously online.

“It's truly horrific, the hatred that exists. I personally felt it when one of my close friends was attacked last week. I know that, as a community, we can rise above this and put an end to all the violence together,” said Adam Barta, a Bronx-born & bred resident who is a major pop star with LOGO TV's #1 Ultimate Sexiest Video of All Time and who serves ex officio to the Bronx LGBTQ Center's Board of Directors.

In addition to the above resources, 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 will be sent directly to voicemail.

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The Bronx LGBTQ Center joins in a march & rally against anti-LGBTQ hate violence on Monday, May 24th @ 5:30pm:

The march will begin sharply at 5:30pm from the NYC LGBT Center (208 West 13th Street, Manhattan) and proceed to the intersection of West 8th Street and Sixth Avenue--the location where Mark A. Carson was fatally shot in the head after having anti-gay epithets hurled at him. A rally will be held at West 8th Street & 6th Avenue.

, president of the Bronx LGBTQ Center, will deliver remarks on our behalf.

For more information, visit http://www.avp.org/resources/avp-resources/241-may-20th-march-speak-out

Founding Membership Meeting, Directors & Ex Officio members added to the Board of Directors

For Immediate Release

Celebrities & Politicians Come Out To Support a New Bronx LGBTQ Center at the Election of Its Board of Directors

April 24, 2013, Bronx, NY: On Saturday, April 13, 2013, the Bronx LGBTQ Center (the “Center”) held its founding membership meeting at the main offices of Union Community Health Center, one of its main sponsors. Approximately twenty people attended the meeting, where the membership voted in five new members to the Center's Board of Directors.

For the first time in its brief history, the new Center drew support from local Bronx politicians. Previously, NYS Senator Jose M. Serrano has lent his support to the efforts of local community activists to build a new community services center for Bronx LGBTQ residents and neighbors after last year's closure of the Bronx Community Pride Center.

Also present at the meeting were Frank Fraioli, representing NYC Councilmember James Vacca and Albert Alvarez representing NYC Concilmember Joel Rivera.

The meeting kicked off with a special presentation by Audwin Edwards and Juan Wilches of Queens Pride House as a show of support to the Center. Tym Moss, the Center's president, provided an update as to the progress that has been made in building a new community services center for the LGBTQ communities of The Bronx and surrounding areas.

The membership then voted the entire Board of Directors into office for a term to expire at the end of this year. “We are making tremendous progress in building this new organization and are excited to announce the addition of five amazing new board members,” Moss, who also is an entertainer, stated. In addition to the six founding board members (Peter C. Frank, Tym Moss, the Rev. Carmen Hernandez, Hon. William K. Schmidt, Williamson L Henderson V, and Daniela Capistrano), the following new directors were elected to the Board:

• Chad Young, Esq., Manhattan-based attorney with a majority of his clients in The Bronx;
• Orlando Iriarte, actor/director with numerous Off-Broadway credits and a background in healthcare;
• Diva Jackie Dupree, live-singing female impersonator and recording artist with her own record label;
• Travis Hodges, consultant in digital and social marketing strategy with cloud computing technologies for the Customer Experience practice at Capgemini Consulting (whom the Board voted in as its Treasurer at its April 18^th meeting); and
• Union Community Health Center, a Bronx-based healthcare provider with four Bronx locations that provides comprehensive, quality healthcare services in a patient-friendly environment.

Additionally, Williamson L. Henderson V, founder and director of the STONEWALL Veterans' Association, and a founding member of the Center, added his partner, AnDre M. Christie, to share his position on the Center's Board as a family unit.

A lively discussion then ensued, where all of the meeting's participants discussed the benefits of membership in the Center, as well as the needs of the LGBTQ communities in its service areas and how those needs could best be met. Ideas were exchanged regarding fundraising, as well as outreach and partnering with other organizations. The Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for the fourth quarter of each year, and the entire Board will be up for election, for staggered 3-year terms, at that time.

Finally, the Board appointed a number of prominent LGBTQ individuals to serve ex officio (in an advisory capacity, without voting rights) to the Board at its meeting on Thursday, April 18^th, which can be viewed at http://youtu.be/n2kjMqTcNLg.

• Adam Barta, a Billboard Top 20 recording artist with the #1 Ultimate Sexiest Video of All Time on LOGO TV, who was born, raised, and currently resides in The Bronx;
• Cynthia Thompkins, Esq., Legal Aid Attorney, president of the 46^th Precinct Community Council, president of the Marion Avenue Neighborhood Association (MANA), anti-violence community advocate, and retired police officer;
• Lovari, award-winning recording artist, SAG/AFTRA member (Law & Order: SVU regular), and movie producer;
• Billy Urich, former LGBTI Human and Civil Rights chair and InterPride board member;
• Linda Rey, AMIM, principal of the Rey Insurance Agency, chartered the multi-chamber networking events for the local chambers of commerce, and a driving force behind the Professional Women of Westchester
• Kelli Dunham, RN, BSN, Stand-Up Comic/Writer at Found Voice Communications;
• Gabrielle Rivera, media mentor at the DreamYard Arts Center and Bronx resident;
• Jessica Ransom, a Broadcast Producer, Videographer, Writer. Video FCP Editor, and Filmmaker

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