Hispanic AIDS Forum - Bronx Activist Turns Anti-Gay Bias Attack into Community Action

October 12, 2005

Contact Information:
Miguel Bonilla, Coordinator of Special Projects
212-563-4500

-FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-


Bronx Activist Turns Anti-Gay Bias Attack into Community Action


Nelson Torres, a Hispanic AIDS Forum (HAF) employee who was attacked near his Bronx home last March in an anti-gay bias crime, announced he organized an event to use his personal tragedy to educate his community. The event, called "It's Time/Es el Momento," is sponsored by HAF and takes place on Thursday, October 13, 2005 from 6-9pm at Hostos Community College.

The event is held in honor of National Coming Out Day, which encourages lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people to "come out" and be open about their identities. It will feature skits, poetry, songs and other performances related to coming out, combating homophobia, and dealing with violence by members of the Bronx LGBT community and their friends and family.

"I want families to be aware that gay people are everywhere," said Torres. "They could be a daughter, a son, a father, a mother, a sister, a brother, a cousin, a friend or a colleague... If more of us came out, it would make it harder to ignore hatred and violence against gays knowing it could happen to a loved one."

Torres also said that he planned the event as a safe space for the community to talk about their experiences as LGBT people living in the Bronx, and wants to make sure that the Bronx LGBT community knows about resources if they are victims of bias crimes.

"I am proud to be fighting back against homophobia," said Torres "With education, not with violence as they did with me."

Heriberto Sanchez Soto, HAF's Executive Director, said HAF has supported events such as these because studies have shown there are strong correlations between homophobia and increasing rates of HIV infection. Apparently, the way gay and lesbian people are viewed by their community, affects their self-esteem, which in turns colors their personal health decisions. Sadly, Sanchez Soto stated, one of his employees has became an example of the startling increases in homophobic hate crimes in the city.

"Although I am a strong advocate for improving public perceptions of gays and lesbians by coming out, I also warn against impulsive, hasty decision-making. Coming out must not be taken lightly; to the extent possible, it should be done with professional help. In the end, coming out is almost always a life-altering event. One must be ready for the full range of reactions and consequences-from full acceptance to outright rejection by those one loves dearly and possible violence. We live in a hostile environment for lesbians, gays and transgender people. In making the decision to come-out one must examine the environment one lives in and ensure that one's physical safety and emotional well-being are closely guarded. One has to be ready for what may happen."

Other speakers at the event include: Basil Lucas of the Anti Violence Project, Councilwoman Margarita Lopez, Haidee Galloso, mother of Rodney Velasquez-victim/killed of hate crime) and Bronx Consortium President
Lisa Winters. The event will be held at:
Hostos Community College
Savoy Building, Multi-Purpose Room (Rm 202)
120 E 149 th Street, Bronx, NY
From 6 - 9PM

The Hispanic AIDS Forum is New York's oldest HIV/AIDS health promotion organization targeting Latinos. The organization was founded in 1985 by Latino activists and social services employees concerned on the impact HIV was having on the Latino community. Since then, the organization has evolved into a full service health promotion agency, providing free HIV testing, HIV treatment education, counseling and emotional support. For more information, please contact Miguel Bonilla at 212-563-4500.