FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Orie Givens, Director of Communications
(NEW YORK) The New York City Anti-Violence Project is angered and dismayed at the news about the tragic loss of six lives in Nashville at The Covenant School – yet another senseless act of school gun violence.
We are angered that this violence continues. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims and the entire community of Nashville, and the growing number of people who have lost loved ones to these senseless acts.
We are dismayed by some of the coverage of this incident, which attempts to vilify LGBTQ people, particularly transgender people, based on statements and reports around the gender identity of the alleged assailant in this case. The epidemic of gun violence in this country reaches every corner of our community and no portion of our community has been spared from being targeted and impacted by gun violence.
The reality is that guns are more easily available in the United States than anywhere else in the world, and this is a major crisis, with 130 mass shootings in the U.S. so far in 2023. The most common cause of homicide of Black trans people is gun violence, and data shows that trans people are much more likely to be victims of gun violence than perpetrators.
As we discuss and attempt to address violence in this country, it is also essential to acknowledge the climate of anti-LGBTQ hate and escalating anti-LGBTQ violence, including efforts to enshrine hate into law, happening across this country, including in Tennessee. As we stand up and speak out against this incident, we must also stand up and speak out against anti-LGBTQ violence.
AVP is committed to working toward ending all violence and supports calls to end gun violence in our society. We believe we all deserve safe spaces to live, work, learn, and be ourselves.
We know news like this can be troubling for folks in our communities, and AVP is always here for LGBTQ and HIV-affected survivors of violence. Call/text our 24/7 bilingual hotline at 212-714-1141 if you need support to process this news.