Vigil and 'Kiss-Out' Tonight Protesting Anti-Gay Assault in Brooklyn

Activists have organized vigil for tonight at 8:30 pm at the corner of Luquer Street and Hamilton Avenue in the Carroll Gardens section of Brooklyn, New York to rally against an anti-gay hate crime in which a man was attacked and severely beaten by a gang of five men last week.

The vigil will be preceded by a KISS-OUT at South Brooklyn Pizza at 5:30 pm. The organizers write: "This Monday, March 15th at 5:30 pm, we’ll assemble at the pizza place (451 Court Street) and then, starting at 6pm, groups of two or more will be given a place to go and kiss. You will be directed to stand at an intersection and kiss for 20 minutes. Ideally, we'll have 4 groups at a given intersection, one at each corner. By stationing ourselves on each corner in the neighborhood, we're aligning ourselves with the street-- a fixture that isn’t going away. At 6:30, everyone is invited to return to the pizza place and enjoy the night together."

Crossposted via Towleroad.

Austin March Against Hate 2/27

Citizens of Austin Texas will be holding a rally this Saturday in response to the attack on Matt Morgan and Emmanuel Winston. The two men are part of a gay softball team and were attacked by four men shouting anti-gay slurs after leaving a bar dressed in their jerseys.

'Austin March Against Hate’
Saturday February 27th at 2pm.
March from Oilcan Harry’s at 211 West 4th St. to City Hall.

*Participants encouraged to wear their jerseys if they belong a local gay team, and the softball teams 'Shady Ladies' jerseys will also be sold to show support.

Word of the Gay: "Bias Crime"

A "bias crime" is a crime perpetrated on the account of a persons sexual, gender, religious, ethnic or racial identity.

Nationwide Vigils Planned for Slain Gay Puerto Rican Teen

Vigils are being planned across the nation for this Sunday, November 22 to honor slain teen Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado who was brutally murdered for being gay. Activists are demanding that the alleged perpetrator be charged under the new U.S. federal hate crimes law which includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

Vigils scheduled:

In New York City a vigil will be held at Pier 45 followed by optional mass at 5:00 pm.

In Boston - 6PM, Trinity Church, Copley Plaza [Facebook link]

In Chicago - 4PM, Division and California, procession to Humboldt Park Boat House.]

In Dallas at 6:15 pm on Sunday.

In L.A. - 8PM, Santa Monica and San Vicente [Facebook link]

In Oakland - 3:30PM, MacArthur and Lakeshore/Grand Ave [Facebook link]

In San Francisco - 7PM, Castro and Market [Facebook link]

Vigils are also planned for Atlanta, Durham, New Orleans, and Philadelphia but information on location and times is not yet available.

H/T to Towleroad.

"No to Hate Crimes" Day of Action

Tonight starting at 9pm through to 9pm on Saturday, an internet campaign created by Act on Principles is happening to demonstrate worldwide support for ending hate crimes.

For just two minutes of your time this October 30th, take a moment to light a candle and stand in silence. You can be together with big or small groups in your public square, in your neighborhood, in front or your city hall or you can be in your room in front of your altar.

Then, take a of photo of the candle you light and post it as your Facebook or other social networking profile pic for the next 24 hours. This is to make a further visual statement saying NO TO HATE CRIMES.

Light a candle. Be silent for 2 minutes. Remember those hurt and lost to us by hate crimes. Stand and say NO TO HATE CRIMES.