Blog
AVP OPPOSES NEW YORK STATE’S BAIL ROLLBACKS
April 10, 2020
AVP opposes New York State’s recently passed bail rollbacks which will put thousands more in jail, including marginalized and criminalized LGBTQ survivors of violence. New York City, NY – The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) opposes the actions of Governor Cuomo and the New York State legislature to rollback 2019 bail laws, which will put thousands more in jail, including marginalized LGBTQ survivors like Layleen Polanco, a Black [...]
Letter to Gov. Cuomo and NYS: IPV Orgs Against Rollbacks
March 27, 2020
Dear Governor Cuomo and New York State Legislature, As organizations that serve hundreds of thousands of survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence (IPV) in New York State, through counseling, support and legal services, and advocacy, we join the growing call of voices opposing rollbacks on bail reform. Contrary to the arguments of those who invoke intimate partner violence to push back against bail reform, rollbacks will not make sur[...]
Tips for When Staying Home Isn’t The Safest Plan
March 26, 2020
While being at home is best practice to avoid the spread of this virus, for some it may carry other risks. Many survivors are navigating a difficult reality: staying home to keep themselves and their community safe may keep them isolated with the person(s) causing them harm. This could be a partner, a roommate, or a family member. If you’re unsafe, try to consider what your options are and remember AVP is here to help with navigating available[...]
Coronavirus Update: AVP Office Closure
March 13, 2020
UPDATE 1/13/21: AVP's offices will remain closed until at least June 2021. ORIGINAL POST 3/16/20: We hope you are all taking care of yourselves and each other in these times that are stressful for all of us. We are writing to let you know that due to the escalating situation around coronavirus, and in the interest of our collective community's health and well-being, AVP has decided to close our offices for in-person appointments and walk-i[...]
AVP Says No to Rollbacks Against Bail Reform
New York City, NY - The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) joins NYC Against Hate Coalition and communities facing hate violence and intimate partner violence to demand “No Rollbacks” to the current New York State bail laws. AVP serves thousands of LGBTQ people every year, who as LGBTQ, Black, Latinx, immigrant, working-class, and low-income survivors of violence, were often themselves criminalized and detained because of the discrimin[...]
40 Change Makers: Cecilia Gentili
March 5, 2020
This interview has been shortened and condensed for clarity. For a decade, Cecilia Gentili has been an ongoing collaborator and community partner with AVP. Working at the intersections of sex work, transgender women’s rights, and incarceration issues, Cecilia Gentili has helped shape critical forums with AVP. Cecilia is well known for advocating for safe and equitable access to housing, employment, and public resources for the trans and ge[...]
New York City Anti-Violence Project Calls for Puerto Rican Officials, McDonald’s Respond to Hate Violence Against LGBTQ People in Puerto Rico
March 2, 2020
NEW YORK, NY -- The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) joins Make The Road New York, community leaders, LGBTQ individuals, survivors of violence, and New Yorkers in gathering Monday, March 2nd at 6 PM in Jackson Heights, Queens, to mourn the death of Alexa, a transgender woman of color who was killed near San Juan, Puerto Rico, in the early morning of February 24th. According to reports, Alexa was homeless, seeking safety at McDon[...]
40 Change Makers: Thomas von Foerster
February 19, 2020
This interview has been shortened and condensed for clarity. Some of the content may be triggering for survivors. In 1978, Thomas von Foerster moved to New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood as a 37-year-old gay man in search of others like him. He soon found community in the Chelsea Gay Assocation (CGA), a social group for gay men. His involvement in the association quickly grew, and he became treasurer as well as the editor of the monthly[...]
LGBTQ, Women, and Survivor Advocates Celebrate the Many New Yorkers Who Will No Longer Suffer the Harms of Money Bail & Pretrial Jailing
December 3, 2019
December 3, 2019 LGBTQ, Women, and Survivor Advocates Celebrate the Many New Yorkers Who Will No Longer Suffer the Harms of Money Bail & Pretrial Jailing New York - Today, leading LGBTQ, women, and survivor advocacy organizations, including Girls for Gender Equity, The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center, New Hour for Women & Children Long Island, NYC Anti-Violence Project, Violence Intervention Program, Inc., [...]
A Special NCAVP Report on Anti-LGBTQ Violence During Pride
August 14, 2019
This year, Pride celebrations around the country marked June as the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and New York City hosted the international community for a World Pride celebration. While our communities experienced an increase in visibility, Pride season was also marked by repeated reports of violence in the LGBTQ community. Today, the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) is releasing a special report, Pride and Pain: A [...]
AVP Client Receives Settlement from City of New York DHS for Anti-Trans Discrimination
August 13, 2019
New York City Anti-Violence Project’s client, Stevin Bonifacio, has reached a settlement with the City of New York Department of Homeless Services for anti-trans discrimination he experienced in the city’s homeless shelter system. His complaint, filed through the City Commission on Human Rights, includes financial compensation and important trans specific policy changes that will have long standing impact on the trans, gender nonconforming, a[...]