Buffalo mobilizes to stop anti-gay attacks

The lesbian, gay, bi and trans community and straight supporters in Buffalo have organized an immediate and strong response to two separate attacks on individuals targeted for being gay. Both incidents occurred on New Year’s Eve.

Jan. 15 protest. WW photo: Bev Hiestand

The first involved a man who was perceived to be gay. He was the target of anti-gay slurs and then was followed to a suburban mall parking lot where he was beaten. The victim’s name has not been released and the judge has restricted further information. Two people have been arrested and charged with a hate crime.

The second incident involved Lindsay Harmon, a lesbian. She was attacked with anti-gay slurs and a knife after leaving a club in Allentown, a section of the city that is home to many LGBT people and businesses. Police have arrested a suspect who has been charged with a hate crime.

Harmon is determined that the attacks on LGBT people not be hidden. “My New Year’s resolution is to keep the issues of acceptance and not just tolerance for gays and lesbians in the public eye as long as possible.” (Buffalo News, Jan. 16) As a result, thousands of messages of support came in immediately on a Facebook page set up by her supporters.

OUTspoken for Equality, a local grassroots social justice organization advocating for LGBT causes, organized a Jan. 15 “Take Back the Night” candlelight vigil and rally. Kitty Lambert, president of the group, led the march with the chant, “Not in our town, not in my community.” She added, “It doesn’t matter whether it’s race, religion, sexual preference or age, hate crimes are hate.”

Hundreds of gay and straight people including many youths marched down Allen Street on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday demanding an end to anti-gay violence. Activists with the International Action Center held a banner reading, “In the name of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., unite to fight racist, sexist, anti-gay violence.” Many people took pictures of the banner; others wanted to carry it; still others cheered, with many “Right ons” heard.

Several city council members showed up to speak. Demone Smith, an African-American city council member, said that no person should be the victim of violence no matter who s/he is and that everyone needs to unite to fight all bigotry and violence.

Community organizers want to keep up the momentum. On Jan. 20 a large cultural event — “A Celebration of Diversity” — was organized by a new group called “United We Stand.” The event was built with many donations, including use of the venue Asbury Hall @ Babeville by recording artists Ani DiFranco and Scott Fisher.

The program included a performance by the Buffalo Gay Men’s Chorus and a compelling expression of support by Robert Harmon, Lindsay’s father. He expressed support for his daughter and for the whole LGBT community. Madeline Davis, noted gay rights activist, author and a founding member of the Mattachine Society of the Niagara Frontier, the first gay rights organization in western New York, gave an inspiring talk. She noted the long history of bigotry and violence against LGBT people and the tremendous gains that have been made through struggle. She vowed that violence will never push back those gains.

Another event, “Community Action Against Hate Crimes” on Jan. 22, was sponsored by OUTspoken for Equality. Community members demanded answers from Buffalo officials and police as to what was being done to keep the LGBT community safe. It was noted that while over the years there have been improvements, many unreported attacks are still taking place. While some members demanded that the police get in-depth sensitivity training and learn to respect the community, one participant noted that police cannot solve the problem and that the community must focus on education.

These events are important and mark significant progress in this community. LGBT activists in Buffalo have long experience fighting against bigotry and oppression. In 1999 Rainbow Peacekeepers were key in building solidarity and support for the struggle against right-wing violence aimed at women’s health clinics and gay clubs.

It is a tribute to the struggle that went on before and continues to go on that we demand equality and respect.

Maloney is a long-time lesbian activist who was a key organizer of Rainbow Peacekeepers.