Anti-LGBT violence to be discussed at hate crimes forum

Members of the D.C. Police Department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit (Blade photo by Michael Key)

Speakers from the local group Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence and the D.C. Police Department’s Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit will be addressing the issue of hate crimes at a community forum on March 15 organized by the Northwest Columbia Heights Community Association.

Among those scheduled to speak at the event are former GLLU head Sgt. Brett Parson and the GLLU’s current head, Sgt. Carlos Mejia, who also heads the department’s Latino Liaison Unit. Others scheduled to speak are GLOV’s current director, A.J. Singletary; the group’s former co-chair Chris Farris; and the director of the Mayor’s Office on Latino Affairs, Roxana Olivas.

“Gays and Latinos are similarly ‘profiled’ and targeted for violent robberies,” said a statement released by the Columbia Heights group sponsoring the event. “Let’s come together and raise our collective awareness. This trend may affect someone you know, whether you realize it or not.”

The forum will be held 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday at St. Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St., N.W.