Orlando LGBT Center Vandalized

[FreeState]

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/21635688/detail.html

Homophobic Vandalism Hits Businesses

Vandals Paint Swastikas, Slurs On Signs, Buildings


ORLANDO, Fla. -- Two area gay-owned businesses were vandalized with homophobic messages and symbols Sunday night.

The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Community Center of Central Florida -- more commonly known as The Center -- and a second nearby gay-owned business were targeted by vandals who spray painted with a swastika and the words "Gay Pawer," "Die Fags," "Go To Hell" and other homophobic slurs.

Damage to the two buildings is estimated to be over $1,000.

The Center is currently working to cover the messages on the building to deter additional damage.

"We feel this act is clearly homophobic and transphobic in nature," said Michael Vance, executive director of The Center. "It is meant to invoke fear in our community; however, we will not act in fear and we will not close our doors. This act illustrates how our services are still badly needed throughout the Central Florida and we will come out stronger and more united as a community."
Fund raising efforts to install security cameras have been ramped up in the wake of the incident.

[YOY]

1. "Gay Pawer"???

As in someone who paws gays? I would think that would be another gay guy. Not really a good slur, is it?

[JimRob_is_a_douche]

2. In Orlando?

Where Holy Land Experience is? I highly doubt such a pious conservative city- with such love of fellow man- would treat another group of people this way!

[Not Me]

3. This is pretty unusual in Orlando

Sure we get some fundie whack jobs at Pride, and some people get all bent out of joint when the city hangs the pride flags downtown, but they usually don't lash out like this. Grafitti is scarce here, and there's a city program where they have crews with power washers, etc dispatched immediately when it does occur.

The area where the GLBTQ center is located is far from Holy Land Experience, just north of downtown in a neighborhood that is full of young professionals, glbt's, and a fairly large Vietnamese community. It's on a very busy thoroughfare. Someone had to have seen it happen.