An LGBTQ bar in New York City was the scene of a “despicable and cowardly” act after two rainbow flags outside the bar were set on fire.
The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday morning at Alibi Lounge in Harlem — the only black-owned LGBTQ lounge in NYC, NBC News reports.
The bar’s Pride festivities were in full swing when the fires were set, according to police.
Alexi Minko, who owns the bar, put out the fires by stamping on them, aided by rain in the city which prevented the flames from spreading or injuring anyone.
A rally was held Saturday afternoon to support the bar, and Minko said the bar’s neighbors had “expressed their indignation, their support. The gay community is behind us.”
Minko said the bar’s security cameras captured a man setting fire to the flags and that he believes the suspect used an accelerant to aid the fire, given the rain.
He promised that “bigger, brighter, bolder flags” would replace the burned ones, which were removed by police for evidence.
The original flags — Photo: Alibi Lounge / Twitter
Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) slammed the fires in a statement on Saturday.
“I am disgusted by the burning of a Pride flag outside an LGBTQ bar in Harlem early yesterday morning,” Cuomo said. “This was a despicable and cowardly act made worse by the fact it happened on the eve of Pride month.
Cuomo said there was “no place for hate in New York,” and said those responsible for the “repugnant behavior must be held accountable.”
The governor has directed the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to “immediately proved the NYPD with any resources needed to assist in an investigation of this incident.”
He added: “Rather than divide New Yorkers, this despicable act will only strengthen our commitment to tolerance, equality and justice for every individual.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand added her support for Alibi Lounge in a tweet, saying such acts won’t stop the progress of LGBTQ rights.
“Disgusting acts of bigotry and cowardice cannot, and will not, intimidate our LGBTQ community or roll back decades of progress,” Gillibrand wrote. “In solidarity with you, @lounge_alibi. Keep celebrating #PrideMonth.”
Disgusting acts of bigotry and cowardice cannot, and will not, intimidate our LGBTQ community or roll back decades of progress. In solidarity with you, @lounge_alibi. Keep celebrating #PrideMonth. https://t.co/Y7nID48tLi
— Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (@gillibrandny) June 3, 2019
Harvard University has drawn criticism from conservatives after announcing that Tufts professor Kareem Khubchandani -- who performs and occasionally lectures in drag as "LaWhore Vagistan" -- will serve as a visiting associate professor in its Studies of Women, Gender, and Sexuality department.
The visiting professorship was established through an endowment from members of the Harvard Gender & Sexuality Caucus, the university's LGBTQ alumni group. It was created to bring in scholars focused on issues related to sexual minorities and sexuality.
Khubchandani is scheduled to teach two courses during the 2025-2026 academic year: "Queer Ethnography," in the fall semester, and "RuPaulitics: Drag, Race, and Desire" in the spring semester, focusing on the cultural influence of the show RuPaul's Drag Race.
New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani is facing backlash after a photo resurfaced showing him alongside a Ugandan politician described as the "architect" of that country's law criminalizing homosexuality.
Mamdani, who defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo by more than 12 points in the final round of ranked-choice primary voting in June, now leads a three-way race against Cuomo, running as an independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, the citizen patrol group once famous for policing New York's subways.
Treven Michael Gokey was arrested by Phoenix police on September 17 for allegedly threatening to shoot up Cruisin’ 7th, a popular gay bar near his Arizona apartment. He faces felony charges of making a terroristic threat and using a computer to threaten, after blaming the LGBTQ community for recent acts of violence.
According to court documents, police were called to the 39-year-old's apartment for a welfare check after a crisis hotline reported he had threatened to shoot up the bar, claiming he was “triggered by political events.”
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
You must be logged in to post a comment.