“Battered Pride in Brooklyn” — LGBTQ Anti-Violence Forum on Saturday

Feb. 15 in Brooklyn Heights

February 14, 2014 Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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“Battered Pride in Brooklyn: An Anti-violence Forum for the LGBTQ Community and their Allies,” will take place on Saturday, February 15, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Chapel of First Unitarian Church at 121 Pierrepont St. at Monroe Place in Brooklyn Heights.

Same sex marriage has become legal in 18 states, yet violence against the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Queer) community is up to an all-time high, especially in places like Greenwich Village, Chelsea and Brooklyn — places that one would think would be the most progressive.

The First Unitarian’s Weaving the Fabric of Diversity Committee says, “This ‘dirty secret’ must now be talked about so we can take action.”

The Committee is hosting this public forum “to provide a safe space for people who have experienced or fear anti- LGBTQ Violence. We will also hear from anti-violence advocates and professionals in this field with suggestions for what allies of this community can do to help both on a personal level and on a community level.”

Speakers include:

Robert Lopez, Program Associate in Community Organizing and Public Advocacy, New York City Anti-Violence Project.

The New York City Anti-Violence Project empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected communities and allies to end all forms of violence through organizing and education, and supports survivors through counseling and advocacy. Robert began working with the New York City Anti-Violence Project in early 2012 as a volunteer and is now Program Associate in Community Organizing and Public Advocacy.

Melissa Sklarz, President of Stonewall Democrats of New York City, the largest LGBT Democratic club in New York.

In 1999, Sklarz ran a campaign for a Democratic Party post as an out transsexual and became the first trans person elected to office on New York. Sklarz was selected to to the New York delegation for the Democratic National Convention in 2004, 2008, and 2012. This year, she has been selected to be on the New York City Council Central Staff Transition Committee.