The Long Island GLBT Community Responds...
by Louis Trapani

All over the country and the world, people are responding and coping with the horrible tragic events which were cowardly propelled upon us on September 11, 2001. The Long Island gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community was no exception in its reaction. All too familiar feeling like a target of terrorism (what GLBT person hasn't at times throughout their lives felt it), we came together at various points and through various means to express the outrage, sympathy, horror, and unity.

September 11th, the day in which we all saw the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center that for years have graced the skies over New York crumble in dust in an assault like no other we have ever seen on this planet. Hijackers used two of our own commercial jet airlines as guided missiles with our own people on board. The Pentagon suffered a similar attack and another hijacked airliner came down from the skies as a result that we can only speculate that the crew and passengers took down the jet to prevent the hijackers from achieving their destructive goal.

As we try to come to terms with the reality of a situation that seems so unreal because it is so unbelievable in its very nature... we do it as we often do, by coming together in a show of support.

The attack came on Tuesday, on Wednesday most of us were still trying to comprehend it all, by Thursday you can see the visible patriotic support, as well as grief, and horror of the past week within our community. It continued on Friday and throughout the weekend.

That Thursday, five people from Community House of Long Island headed out at 10:30 PM with candles and an American flag in hand, and made their presence known on the intersection of Long Island Avenue and Deer Park Avenue (Route 231) in remembrance of those lost in the tragic events of the week. The five people multiplied as neighbors in the area joined in. What was once five grew into more than twenty. Traffic traveling through the intersection responded in kind by honking in support.

The following day, that Friday at 7 PM, LIGALY (Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth) joins the nation in an impromptu candlelight vigil outside of the LIGALY center on Main Street in Bay Shore. Across Main Street there were other groups coming together at the designated time, though the LIGALY crowd became the most visible as it grew in numbers. As with the night before in Deer Park, passerby traffic showed their support by honking and waving.

Before heading back into the center, the crowd in front of LIGALY joined together in unison and sang the National Anthem.

Later inside, LIGALY as a part of their group program had a dialog exchange on the events of the week lead by Minority Outreach Worker and Club LIGALY Coordinator, Yvonne Wildner. Ideas and concerns of September 11th's tragedies were brought to the surface as well as what may lay in our future.

Meanwhile at 8 PM at Pride For Youth in Bellmore during their weekly Coffeehouse program on Friday nights, there was an open mic and poetry slam for those wishing to express their feelings concerning the tragedy through poetry and rhyme. Afterwards there was discussion group for youth to talk about their feelings and to gain resources on how they can help those in need, as well as gain self-support.

After the discussion group, Pride For Youth joined the nation as well in a candlelight vigil outside on their grounds and in the Bellmore community.

As an ongoing effort, Pride For Youth has established a table in the Coffeehouse which is set up with art supplies for those who wish create cards to send to families who have lost friends and loved ones, and the workers and heroes who have given of themselves to help rescue and care for those who were trapped.

The response and reaction were not only limited to community centers on Long Island within our community. One could also see it at our bars and clubs here on Long Island.

In Farmingdale, the renowned bar Blanche on that same Friday also took part in a neighborhood candlelight vigil outside of the bar. Peter made sure all the candles were lit in an expression of unity and support. Inside, American flags proudly displayed. On Sunday, with piano, Artie sang the Star Spangled Banner which led everyone into a medley of patriotic songs. It was somewhat spontaneous which only added to the impressiveness.

The Bunkhouse decorated with U.S. flags inside, on the night of the attacks originally was not going to play any music... Though after some discussion it was decided to play low volume, mellow music in keeping with the somber mood of the community.

At the venerable Forevergreen in Lindenhurst, they too joined in with the rest of the nation in a candlelight vigil at 7 PM that Friday in their community. In addition, all proceeds from the door that Friday and Saturday Forevergreen in an act of generosity and genuine concern will be donated to the September 11th fund for those in New York City. Close to $900 will be going to this relief fund. Many of the patrons of Forevergreen knew people who were either in the Twin Towers or were firefighters, police officers, or emergency workers at the scene of the tragedy.

Camille Gnolfo, owner of Forevergreen commented, "I am still in disbelief of this horror... I can't imagine the fear that the victims had."

Camille is not alone in her sentiments. Other members of community had similar reactions and comments. "In experiencing what has happened today in America, I am left with a vapid empty feeling...," said Archbishop Bruce Simpson of the Old Catholic Church and Director of Governmental Affairs of World Bishop's Council on the day of the attacks. Simpson has been very active in the Long Island GLBT community which he now calls home.

Jed Ryan, one of our most prolific writers here on Community Connection as well appearing in LIPP who also works at NYU Medical Center in Manhattan stated, "Like everyone else, the events of the last few days have saddened and shocked me." Continuing to state, "The idea of a terrorist attack (of this nature) just seemed so inconceivable." "I have already heard stories about Middle Eastern-Americans who work at the hospital being harassed, and it's very disturbing. I have the utmost faith that anyone who is a member of this (discussion) group is beyond that sort of reactionary prejudice, but we must remember to try and SPREAD the message of rejecting hatred," he expressed on the LI Pride Discussion eGroup during this past week.

Jed makes a very valid point about resisting lashing out on those that happen to be of Arab or of middle eastern origin. We can't judge a people by the acts of these individuals. It would be akin to judging Americans by 'White Supremacists.' As of today, there have been already two deaths reported as a result of backlash towards innocent people here in the US of Middle-Eastern origins. This is sad and outrageous. Those that take part in this type of action are no different than those individuals that caused these horrible tragedies in New York and Washington and PA... They are no different than those that attack and kill the Matthew Shepards and the James Byrds of our world.

We will prevail, here on Long Island and elsewhere. We have all been affected in some manner. Though some have been affected more so than others. At least one prominent member of our community had lost two friends along with their adopted son in one of the airliner jets hijacked last week. Tragic indeed.

As Congress has put aside their differences this past week and pass unified resolutions, perhaps we too as a community here on Long Island can do the same and put the pettiness and B.S. aside and refocus on what it means to be a community and how to best serve it.

Though our community is spread out throughout the geography of Long Island, sprinkled across it, our community was unified once again in participating in candlelight vigils. Where each small candle holds a glimmer of hope for the future.

Photos by Louis Trapani / ATP © 2001

Our hearts go out to all affected
by the terrible tragedies
of September 11th 2001.