Safe Spaces Archives - NYC Anti-Violence Project

AVP is Here for Trans Survivors of Violence

November 30, 2023

You are seen and loved. We know that when it comes to violence, transgender, gender nonconforming and non-binary people often face increased risks of harm. According to data from the National Transgender Survey, nearly one-third of respondents experienced workplace mistreatment or violence, and nearly half (46%) report experiencing verbal harassment while nearly 1 in 10 experienced physical harassment. More than half of TGNCNB people have exp[...]

AVP’s Audacia Ray Testifies in Public Briefing on Racial Disparities in Violent Crime Victimization in Washington D.C.

November 27, 2023

AVP was on the national stage once again as AVP’s Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy, Audacia Ray (they/she), testified in front of The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights during their public briefing on Racial Disparities in Violent Crime Victimization in the United States on Friday, November 17th in Washington D.C. Sharing the history of AVP’s work at the intersections of multi-marginalized groups, particularly LGBTQ[...]

Afterlives: The Layleen Polanco Story – Now Streaming

November 15, 2023

This Transgender Awareness Month, we uplift the release of ‘Afterlives: The Layleen Polanco Story,” a new iHeart podcast about the life and untimely death of Afro-Latine trans woman, Layleen Polanco. In 2019, Layleen died while being held at the notorious Rikers Island in solitary confinement, despite known mental and physical health issues. On June 7th, 2019, Layleen suffered an epileptic seizure while in confinement and was rendere[...]

Advocates Shine Light on Mandatory Arrest Impact in LGBTQ+ Relationships

October 31, 2023

In New York, specific laws govern whether or not an arrest is required in cases of reports family crimes related to of intimate partner violence. Often, an arrest may be required depending on the charge. Because of the dynamics of LGBTQ+ relationships, it may not be obvious who is a survivor and who is doing harm. This lack of clarity can result in misarrest, revictimization and other potential challenges for survivors. In this panel discussio[...]

Courage Awards 2023: A Night of Queer Joy & Resilience

October 25, 2023

The annual event was held for the second year at the Tribeca Rooftop in Manhattan. AVP honored Qween Jean, Cameron Esposito, Our Lady J and the LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces of New York City. Courage Awards is AVP’s signature gala event honoring trailblazers in community who are using their power and platform to make change in our world. This year’s honorees have worked tirelessly to uplift the voices of our most marginalized siblings, such [...]

New FBI Hate Crimes Data Shows Bad Trend, Amplifies Alarm For Better Solutions

October 19, 2023

Hate crimes against LGBTQ people increased since last year according to new FBI data. Bias crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity were up in 2022 over last year, representing one fifth of total hate crimes tracked by the FBI. Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, Beverly Tillery, responds: “This data reflects the sad reality our communities have known this past year[...]

Cameron Esposito, Qween Jean and Our Lady J announced as 2023 AVP Courage Awards Honorees

October 17, 2023

Cameron Esposito, Qween Jean and Our Lady J are trailblazers and changemakers for LGBTQ+ community who will be honored this year at AVP’s Courage Awards in New York. (New York) The New York City Anti-Violence Project, the nation’s largest anti-violence organization dedicated to LGBTQ+ survivors of violence, is proud to announce this year’s honorees for its annual Courage Awards celebration. The 2023 Courage Awards will be held on[...]

AVP’s Beverly Tillery Joins CBS 2 New York To Discuss Matthew Shepard, 25 Years Later, and AVP’s Anti-Violence Work

October 12, 2023

October 12th marks the 25th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard, who was violently attacked and died from his injuries near Laramie, Wyoming in 1998. While the LGBTQ+ community has made great strides in the quarter century since that tragic day, the recent surge in violence targeting the LGBTQ+ community is a tough reminder of how much work remains to be done in the fight for freedom for the LGBTQ+ community. To[...]

September 25, 2023

New York, New York - Four months after the disciplinary trial against Officers Brendan Thompson and Herbert Davis for the 2019 killing of Kawaski Trawick, the NYPD deputy commissioner who oversaw the trial recommended that the charges against the two officers be dismissed. Trawick, a 32-year-old Black gay man, was cooking in his own Bronx apartment when officers broke the chain on his door, illegally entered his apartment, and then tased and sh[...]

AVP’s Beverly Tillery Joins Clinton Global Initiative Panel To Address Gender-based Violence

September 20, 2023

AVP was on the international stage on Monday as AVP’s Executive Director Beverly Tillery spoke on a featured panel at the Clinton Global Initiative The Pandemic Of Gender-based Violence: How To Address The Threats meeting in New York City on September 18, 2023. Moderated by Dr. Chelsea Clinton, Beverly shared the panel with Jackson Katz of MVP Strategies and Kalpana Viswanath of Safetipin to discuss the layers of gender-based violence, wi[...]

AVP Responds to Announcement of Arrest in the Death of O’Shae Sibley

August 4, 2023

The New York City Anti-Violence Project (AVP) and our communities are in a compounded state of grief and mourning today. Over the past several days our communities have laid bare their pain and trauma for the world to see in response to the death of O’Shae Sibley. We have witnessed an outpouring of emotion, questions, demands, and truths about the state of our world. This arrest does not acknowledge the underlying issues of violence that our[...]

O’Shae Sibley Community Gatherings

August 3, 2023

AVP continues to grieve with the community over the violent killing of our sibling, O’Shae Sibley, a 28-year-old professional dancer. As the chosen family and loved ones, as well as the community at large work to plan remembrances and events celebrating his life, AVP will work to collect this information here. For questions and to get updates, sign up using the form below. And remember, if you need support or assistance, call 212-714-[...]