Tag Archives: NYPD

Gay History - April 19, 1982: The Gay Officers Action League, Inc. (GOAL) Founded in NYC

Gay History – April 19, 1982: The Gay Officers Action League, Inc. (GOAL) Founded in NYC

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April 19, 1982 – The Gay Officers Action League, Inc. (GOAL)  is founded by NYPD Sergeant Charles Cochrane and retired Detective Sam Ciccone establishing the first official police fraternal society in the world to represent LGBT people within the criminal justice system and create a support network for LGBT officers and to advocate for their rights within the police department.

Cochrane, a 14 year veteran of the NYPD, created shock waves by testifying before a NYC Council hearing in favor of a gay rights bill. Following the testimony of a Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association Vice President, who denounced the bill and declared, “I didn’t know of any homosexual police officers.”, Cochrane stunned all present as well as NYC as a whole by his testimony: “I am very proud of being a New York City Police Officer, and I am equally proud of being gay.”

One of GOAL’s primary objectives is to advocate for policies and practices that protect the rights of LGBT officers and to ensure that they are not subjected to discrimination or harassment on the job. The organization has been instrumental in changing policies within the New York City Police Department that have previously discriminated against LGBT officers. For example, in 1994, GOAL successfully advocated for a policy change that allowed LGBT officers to march in uniform in the annual New York City Pride Parade. A point of contention today with the younger more radical queer activists.

The work of the Gay Officers Action League, Inc. has had a significant impact on the lives of LGBT police officers in New York City and beyond. and is an important organization that plays a critical role in advocating for the rights and interests of LGBT police officers. The organization’s work has had a significant impact on the New York City Police Department and has helped to create a more welcoming and inclusive workplace for LGBT officers.

*Archival items from the Gay Officers Action League records. Manuscripts and Archives Division. The New York Public Library. Astor, Lenox, and Tilden Foundations.

*Header Photo: By Andy Warhol

Long Island Man Arrested For Threatening To Bomb NYC PRIDE

Long Island Man Arrested For Threatening To Bomb NYC PRIDE

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Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested and charged on Monday a Long Island man for mailing letters threatening to assault, shoot, and bomb LGBT affiliated individuals, organizations, and businesses and NYC PRIDE.

Agents from the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested and charged on Monday a Long Island man on a warrant issued by United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke for mailing letters threatening to assault, shoot, and bomb LGBTQ+ affiliated individuals, organizations, and businesses. 

Fehring was arrested this morning and will make his initial appearance this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Steven I. Locke.

As alleged, the defendant’s hate-filled invective and threats of violence directed at members of the LGBTQ+ community have no place in our society and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” stated United States Attorney Peace.

This Office is firmly committed to protecting the civil rights of all members of every community in this district, including the LGBTQ+ community and other minority communities.

Fehring’s alleged threats to members of the LGBTQ+ community were not only appalling, but dangerous, despite the fact he hadn’t yet acted on his purported intentions.”

Department of Justice

This is an excerpt from a message was sent to the executive director of an organization setting up an NYC Pride event in May 2021.

“As you faggot scum are preparing to waltz your fruity, freaky f—-t asses down the NY parade lanes, we warn you that there will be radio-controlled devices placed at numerous strategic places, and firepower aimed at you from other strategic places. We’ve had enough!!! This will make the 2016 Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting look like a cakewalk,”

NY Daily News

After his arrest, Fehring said there was a “sickening overdose of that stuff being shoved down everybody’s face on the paper, on the TV and all over the place, and I’m not a fan of any of the homosexuality, homosexual thing,” according to the FBI.

Fehrings arrest comes after in the wake of a minority of queer groups pressuring NYC Pride to remove all police presence from NYC Pride events.

Barney Frank Rips HOP - NYC Pride to Shreds for Banning LGBT Police Officers From Marching

Barney Frank Speaks Out Against HOP – NYC Pride for Banning LGBT Police Officers From Marching

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Former Rep. Barney Frank who was considered the most prominent gay politician in the United States during his time in Congress. came out swinging today against Heritage of Pride the group that runs NYC Pride for banning LGBT police officers from marching this year.

Via Frank’s Op-ed in The Hill:

Having gotten used to Pride parades being occasions when the broad community can come together in an atmosphere of complete mutual respect, I was very disappointed at the injection of bigotry that has marred this season. I am referring to the decision of the organizers of the New York march to demonize some of the most courageous and effective opponents of homophobia in our community — the LGBT police officers who have combated prejudice in places where it was deep-rooted.

I am somewhat comforted by knowing that those who have made this decision speak for a small minority of the LGBT community. But that very fact underlines the danger of letting our agenda be dictated by deferring to the small minorities within our ranks who compete with each other in a purer-than-thou contest.

Those most committed to reforming police practices damage this important cause when they refuse to distinguish between police officers who victimize others and those who have stood proudly against bigotry. Collective punishment that puts heroes and villains in the same category is flat out wrong on three fundamental counts.

It is a blatant violation of the principle of fairness at the center of our struggle; it is a distorted picture of the reality which we have worked to present; and it is counterproductive to inform people in positions of some authority that they are guilty by definition — no matter how hard they fight on our side.

It must be mentioned that the general membership of HOP voted overwhelmingly to ALLOW LGBT NYC Police- GOAL NYC to march; the board of Heritage of Pride that took it upon themselves to override the decision and ultimately banned the police.

HATE CRIME: Gay Man Attacked With Hammer, Thrown On Subway Tracks In NYC

HATE CRIME: Gay Man Attacked With Hammer, Thrown On Subway Tracks In NYC

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A 21-year-old gay man waiting for a D train at the Tremont Ave. station near the Grand Concourse was attacked and hit repeatedly with a hammer before being thrown onto the subway tracks early Friday morning at about 1:10 a.m.

“Fag, fag!” the man screamed before swinging the hammer at the victim, hitting him repeatedly police sources said.

He then grabbed the victim and threw him onto the tracks before running off.

The victim miraculously managed to climb back onto the train platform on his own. Medics took him to St. Barnabas Hospital with minor injuries.

The suspect is described as a black male in his 30s with braided hair, approximately 5-foot-10 and 150 pounds, wearing gray sweatpants and a black coat.

Police are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime because of the anti-gay slur reported by the victim.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has also directed the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist in the investigation.

“I am absolutely sickened by the vicious anti-LGBT assault on a Bronx subway platform early this morning,” Cuomo said. “This horrific and ugly crime is repugnant to our values as New Yorkers, and we have zero tolerance for such vile acts of hate.”

New York City’s hate crime epidemic on subways has spiked more than 54 percent this year.

As of October he NYPD have made arrests in eight of the 13 hate crimes that have been committed against individuals this year.

NYC Police Dept. Apologizes for 1969 Raid at the Stonewall Inn - [VIDEO]

NYC Police Dept. Apologizes for 1969 Raid at the Stonewall Inn – [VIDEO]

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New York City’s police commissioner has issued a belated apology for the 1969 police raid at the Stonewall Inn which became a catalyst for the gay rights movement.

Commissioner James O’Neill said Thursday that “the actions taken by the NYPD were wrong” at the gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village.

He called the actions and laws of the time discriminatory and said:

“I’m certainly not going to stand up here and pretend to be an expert on what happened at Stonewall. I do know what happened should not have happened. . The actions taken by the NYPD were wrong plain and simple. The actions were discriminatory and oppressive and for that I apologize.”

The commissioner made the remarks at a kick-off event for Pride month at police headquarters.

I for one and on the behalf of my late uncle Bob Kohler, Stonewall veteran. longtime gay activist, and Mayor of Christopher Street say thank you to the N.Y.P.D.

Better late than never.

Long Island Man Arrested For Threatening To Bomb NYC PRIDE

NYC PRIDE Denies Demand That LGBT Police Not March In Uniform During This Years Parade

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Heritage of Pride which runs NYC’s grand LGBT Pride Parade and events during gay pride weekend has denied demands made by the group “Reclaim Pride Coalition” that New York City’s LGBT police officers not be allowed to march in uniform.  And also the banning of police vehicles and the removal of the police marching band out of this years pride parade.

the parade because it might upset a section of the community.

About 10 members of the Coalition attended the May 14th meeting and argued that the demands they sought were  an act of solidarity with those communities, notably communities of color, that feel the brunt of policing in New York City and around the country.

“When you don’t stand up against the crimes the cops commit, you’re being complicit,” said Jay W. Walker, a  NYC activist and member Gays Against Guns (GAG), which did not endorse the demands of the group.

“We get requests ever year from people who want us to control or restrict who can march,” said James Fallarino, who heads media for HOP during the May 14th meeting at The Center. 

Fallarino then made a motion for the HOP board to vote again on  HOP’s longstanding policy that any group can and that HOP does not tell marchers how to present themselves beyond applying the same rules to all other marchers. Fallarino’s motion reiterated that HOP does not restrict “the types of groups that may register” and that “No restrictions are placed on how marchers may legally express themselves.”

The motion was approved  37 to 1 vote.

The Gay Officers Action League released the following statement:

“GOAL is happy to learn that Heritage of Pride has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to allow marchers full freedom of expression,” the police fraternal organization said in a statement. “We have always marched as activists fighting for equality for LGBTQ people in the criminal justice profession, and for the larger LGBTQ community. Thanks to this decision, GOAL will be marching out and proud to celebrate our community’s history and heritage again this year.”

You can read the Reclaim Pride’s full list of demands by CLICKING HERE

 

*Many thanks to Duncan Osborne and Gay City News.

Gay Man Sues NYPD for $6 Million for Beating Him Mercilessly And Calling Him a ‘Fucking Faggot’

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Gay Man Sues NYPD for $6 Million for Beating Him Mercilessly And Calling Him a 'Fucking Faggot'

James Rolkiewicz of Staten Island was walking through  Manhattan’s gay-friendly West Village neighborhood when he began to have an asthma attack. The 53 year old Rolkiewicz sat on the steps of a local business, trying to find his inhaler, when a patrol car stopped and police began to harass him according to the New York Daily News.

According to the lawsuit, the officers “repeatedly called him ‘a fucking faggot’ while demanding his identification, while plaintiff was having an asthma attack.”

Rolkiewicz said he could not comply with the officers’ requests because he was struggling to breathe and searching for his inhaler. But that only made the police angry.

The lawsuit alleges that Rolkiewicz was “brutally handled, punched, kicked, abusively treated, placed in a chokehold, handcuffed and choked until he lost consciousness.” He spent two days in custody, part of which was to treat his police-inflicted injuries at Bellevue Hospital.

The NYPD told the Daily News it was “reviewing the complaint.”

#GayLivesMatterToo

Gay Man Stabbed On NYC Subway In Apparent Hate Crime Attack

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Gay Man Stabbed On NYC Subway In Apparent Hate Crime Attack

 

A man shouting homophobic slurs stabbed a gay man traveling with his boyfriend and his sister on a No. 1 train Saturday evening, according to the NYPD.

Police say the assailant got angry when he saw the victim, 28, with his partner, and argued with him as their northbound train pulled into 110th Street in Morningside Heights just after 7 p.m., cops said.

That’s when the attacker started yelling “you faggot!” at the victim.

He then stabbed the victim in the left side of the chest and fled, authorities said.

Emergency responders rushed the man to Mt. Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital, where he remains in serious but stable condition.

The stabber was still at large Saturday night and is described as a male Hispanic, about 6’1″ wearing a white shirt and khaki shorts.

The NYPD  is investigating this violent attack as a hate crime.

Federal Agents and NYPD Raid Rentboy.com’s “Internet Brothel” NYC Offices

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Rentboy.com Busted

 

According to the NY Post federal authorities and the NYPD on Tuesday raided the Manhattan headquarters of Rentboy.com and what prosecutors are calling the world’s largest gay prostitution operation in the world.

Brooklyn federal prosecutors said the escort and massage service was really the world’s largest gay “hooker site”, with 2,500 subscribers and $10 million in revenue between 2010 and 2015.

Seven people — including Rentboy.com CEO Jeffrey Hurant and other top staffers were arrested during the raid at 14th Street and Fifth Avenue and are expected to appear in Brooklyn federal court later today.

“As alleged, Rentboy.com attempted to present a veneer of legality, when in fact this internet brothel made millions of dollars from the promotion of illegal prostitution,” Acting Brooklyn US Attorney Kelly T. Currie.

Jeffery Hurant and his staff are all charged with conspiring to violate the Travel Act by promoting prostitution across state lines.  If convicted, each faces up to five years behind bars and a fine of up to $250,000.

Its so nice that there is no more REAL crime in NYC that they can go after consenting adults having sex. 

As of this posting the site was still up and pounding away.

NY Post

 

CAUGHT ON VIDEO- Gay Staten Island Man Called “Faggot” While Being Brutally Beaten By Police

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NYPD police gay brutality

An unarmed gay Staten Island man was violently beaten and called “faggot” in front of his own house by NYPD officers on June 19th. and now plans to sue in federal court for civil rights violations

Louis Falcone, a catering assistant says his nightmare began around 4:30 a.m.when his brother arrived at the home that they both share with their mother “obnoxiously drunk” after a night of partying.

“We had words,” he said. “I was yelling at him; he was yelling at me.

About an hour after the argument ended four NYPD cops showed up at the front door.

I’m talking to them through the screen door, they’re saying to come outside,” Falcone recalled. “I said, ‘For what?”

Then, his dog Looch, part pitbull, began barking.

“The cops said, ‘Get your dog out of here or I’ll f—— kill it!’” Falcone says. “I was like, ‘What do you mean you’re going to kill my dog?’”

He said he was shooing Looch away when an officer yanked Falcone outside.

“They threw me against the concrete in front of my house,”  They were hitting me for no reason. One puts his knee on my neck. They were all piling on top of me.”

And while the four policemen beat the 150 lb. Falcone they repeatedly called him “fag” and “faggot”

“While I was on the ground, I had mud and blood in my mouth,” he said. “One (of the cops) said, ‘Don’t let it get on you, he probably has AIDS, the faggot.’”

Falcone suffered a broken nose, two black eyes, cuts to his face and body.

A neighbor cross the street videotaped the incident.

The N.Y.P.D. did not return phone calls from this website.

 

 

Source N.Y. Daily News