On April 18th an unidentified transgender woman tried to use the bathroom at a McDonald's, two patrons started attacking her in full
view of other customers and employees. These employees can be heard on the video shouting words of encouragement to the
attackers. A 14-year-old girl has been charged as a juvenile in connection with the assault, charges are still pending against an 18-
year-old woman and the incident remains under investigation and the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office. This horrible crime was
committed in Baltimore, but every day similar attacks are occurring right on OUR OWN COMMUNITIES against our own – Its time to
Stop the Hate & take an honest look at the STATE OF HATE in our community.
We cordially invite YOU to join Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida on Saturday, June 11th, 2011, 10 am–3pm
in Miami Beach for our STATE OF HATE WORKSHOP.
Panel Discussions and Q&A with:
Herb Sosa, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida | Detective Juan Sanchez, MBPD | Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office |
Scott Hall, Director-Gay American Heroes Memorial Foundation | Enbar Cohen, Assistant Director-Safe Schools South Florida |
Maria Mejia, HIV/AIDS Activist | Pridelines Youth Services | PFLAG | Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce | "Please
Don't Hate Me!" Campaign and many more...
Breakfast provided by DAVID'S CAFE and Miami Beach Police Dept.
Crime & Discrimination, Sexual Orientation, Labels & Perception and how to improve community relations & reduce attacks to our
community will be discussed openly & honestly.
As you may know, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida (UC|CU) offers Leadership, Protection & Promotion of Latino|Hispanic LGBTQ
rights (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning), the only organization of its kind in South Florida since 2002. UC|CU is
providing this Community Workshop from 10am to 3pm on June 11th. Light breakfast, refreshments, lunch, UC|CU membership card
& take-away materials will be provided. Our panel will include representatives from Law Enforcement, HIV/AIDS Research, Crimes
Statistics & Prevention orgs. & other community leaders.
Morning hours (10am-12noon) will focus on team building exercises & the stigma of labels & discrimination. After a short break for
lunch we will resume with our PANEL OF COMMUNITY LEADERS (12:30-3pm)to discuss issues within the community, biases,
reporting crimes, statistics & protecting oneself from attacks & discrimination. Workshop will end at 3pm. We are asking for a $10
donation p.p. to help with food & materials.
Why is this type of workshop necessary?
- THERE IS ONE LGBT MURDER EVERY 9 DAYS IN AMERICA.
- THERE WAS 1 LGBT MURDER EVERY 9 DAYS IN THE US IN 2008.
- THE FBI REPORTED 1,482 HATE CRIMES BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN 2009.
- FLORIDA: HATE CRIMES REPORTED AGAINST LGBT’S INCREASED IN 2007 TO 1,265 –HIGHEST IN 5 YEARS.
- SOUTH FLORIDA LEADS THE STATE ON REPORTED HATE CRIMES AGAINST LGBT’S.
On July 29, 2007, Oscar Mosqueda was shot and killed by Cesar Israel Villazano. According to early accounts, Villazano confessed to
detectives after the 2 a.m. killing outside Pasta Amore, Florida on North Nova Road, telling them he shot Oscar Mosqueda after the
victim made an embarrassing sexual advance toward him inside the late-night club event called “Disco Garibaldi.” Villazano told
police he was embarrassed because he isn’t gay. One witness to the shooting, Wesley Rosser, said he found it unlikely Villazano
would have been surprised by being hit on at the event, which featured men in drag. Villazano was charged with second degree
murder and has been sentenced to life in prison.
Can we count on YOU to make a difference and participate in our UC|CU State of Hate Workshop on June 11th?
Your community needs you! I can be reached at 786-271-6982 or via e-mail at herb@unitycoalition.org
Thanks in advance.
Herb Sosa
view of other customers and employees. These employees can be heard on the video shouting words of encouragement to the
attackers. A 14-year-old girl has been charged as a juvenile in connection with the assault, charges are still pending against an 18-
year-old woman and the incident remains under investigation and the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office. This horrible crime was
committed in Baltimore, but every day similar attacks are occurring right on OUR OWN COMMUNITIES against our own – Its time to
Stop the Hate & take an honest look at the STATE OF HATE in our community.
We cordially invite YOU to join Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida on Saturday, June 11th, 2011, 10 am–3pm
in Miami Beach for our STATE OF HATE WORKSHOP.
Panel Discussions and Q&A with:
Herb Sosa, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida | Detective Juan Sanchez, MBPD | Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office |
Scott Hall, Director-Gay American Heroes Memorial Foundation | Enbar Cohen, Assistant Director-Safe Schools South Florida |
Maria Mejia, HIV/AIDS Activist | Pridelines Youth Services | PFLAG | Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce | "Please
Don't Hate Me!" Campaign and many more...
Breakfast provided by DAVID'S CAFE and Miami Beach Police Dept.
Crime & Discrimination, Sexual Orientation, Labels & Perception and how to improve community relations & reduce attacks to our
community will be discussed openly & honestly.
As you may know, Unity Coalition|Coalición Unida (UC|CU) offers Leadership, Protection & Promotion of Latino|Hispanic LGBTQ
rights (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning), the only organization of its kind in South Florida since 2002. UC|CU is
providing this Community Workshop from 10am to 3pm on June 11th. Light breakfast, refreshments, lunch, UC|CU membership card
& take-away materials will be provided. Our panel will include representatives from Law Enforcement, HIV/AIDS Research, Crimes
Statistics & Prevention orgs. & other community leaders.
Morning hours (10am-12noon) will focus on team building exercises & the stigma of labels & discrimination. After a short break for
lunch we will resume with our PANEL OF COMMUNITY LEADERS (12:30-3pm)to discuss issues within the community, biases,
reporting crimes, statistics & protecting oneself from attacks & discrimination. Workshop will end at 3pm. We are asking for a $10
donation p.p. to help with food & materials.
Why is this type of workshop necessary?
- THERE IS ONE LGBT MURDER EVERY 9 DAYS IN AMERICA.
- THERE WAS 1 LGBT MURDER EVERY 9 DAYS IN THE US IN 2008.
- THE FBI REPORTED 1,482 HATE CRIMES BASED ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN 2009.
- FLORIDA: HATE CRIMES REPORTED AGAINST LGBT’S INCREASED IN 2007 TO 1,265 –HIGHEST IN 5 YEARS.
- SOUTH FLORIDA LEADS THE STATE ON REPORTED HATE CRIMES AGAINST LGBT’S.
On July 29, 2007, Oscar Mosqueda was shot and killed by Cesar Israel Villazano. According to early accounts, Villazano confessed to
detectives after the 2 a.m. killing outside Pasta Amore, Florida on North Nova Road, telling them he shot Oscar Mosqueda after the
victim made an embarrassing sexual advance toward him inside the late-night club event called “Disco Garibaldi.” Villazano told
police he was embarrassed because he isn’t gay. One witness to the shooting, Wesley Rosser, said he found it unlikely Villazano
would have been surprised by being hit on at the event, which featured men in drag. Villazano was charged with second degree
murder and has been sentenced to life in prison.
Can we count on YOU to make a difference and participate in our UC|CU State of Hate Workshop on June 11th?
Your community needs you! I can be reached at 786-271-6982 or via e-mail at herb@unitycoalition.org
Thanks in advance.
Herb Sosa
June 11, 2011... Miami Beach, Fl - Today we had a wonderful
turnout, exchange of information, personal stories & a blueprint
on how to report, reduce & react to Hate Crimes &
discrimination across our community.
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida was proud to offer the
1st State of Hate Workshop, and honored that you participated.
A Special thank you to Assistant State Atty. Natalie Hanan,
Detective Juan Sanchez (MBPD), Jai Rodriguez, PFLAG Hialeah,
Pridelines, Safe Schools, "Please Don't Hate Me!" Campaign, Gay
American Heroes Memorial and ALL who dedicated their
Saturday to such an important discussion. Thank you to David's
Café & Savor Catering for making today possible. Who knew
café con leche also came in a box & mini cuban sandwiches
could be this tasty, encourage such great dialogue and a
positive exchange of ideas- how wonderful!
WHATS NEXT:
- We agreed to share contact information with all at the mtg.
to improve communication amongst local activists/groups.
- Det. Sanchez & Herb Sosa will develop materials for easy
reprinting & encourage all MB LGBTQ Businesses, especially bars
& media/publications, to reprint regularly as part of their promo
flyers - encouraging safety measures to avoid being a victim of
a (hate) crime. LGBT Business Enhancement Committee & Gay &
Lesbian Chamber of Commerece will be key to get this message
out to the businesses & encourage participation.
- All org. representatives present to contribute a paragraph or 2
(by next Wednesday) for a State of Hate Newsletter to be
produced & distributed electronically by UC|CU, informing all of
todays results, community resources, laws, proceedures - relating
to hate crimes avoiding, reporting & prosecution.
- Ambiente Magazine offered an ongoing vehicle for all orgs. to
reach out to their LGBTQ & supporters - readership.
- Follow-up State of Hate Workshop in approx 90 days to review
progress, continue to discuss issues of Hate in our community,
encourage religious & other community groups to participate,
and find new ways to reach the community with preventive
hate & crime tools/messages. Amy Carswell, Enbar Cohen &
Natalie Hanan to assist in reaching out & invite community
groups not previously involved.
- Consider future State of Hate Worskhops across South Florida - reaching out to their communities in need of dialogue, discussions &
answers.
turnout, exchange of information, personal stories & a blueprint
on how to report, reduce & react to Hate Crimes &
discrimination across our community.
Unity Coalition|Coalicion Unida was proud to offer the
1st State of Hate Workshop, and honored that you participated.
A Special thank you to Assistant State Atty. Natalie Hanan,
Detective Juan Sanchez (MBPD), Jai Rodriguez, PFLAG Hialeah,
Pridelines, Safe Schools, "Please Don't Hate Me!" Campaign, Gay
American Heroes Memorial and ALL who dedicated their
Saturday to such an important discussion. Thank you to David's
Café & Savor Catering for making today possible. Who knew
café con leche also came in a box & mini cuban sandwiches
could be this tasty, encourage such great dialogue and a
positive exchange of ideas- how wonderful!
WHATS NEXT:
- We agreed to share contact information with all at the mtg.
to improve communication amongst local activists/groups.
- Det. Sanchez & Herb Sosa will develop materials for easy
reprinting & encourage all MB LGBTQ Businesses, especially bars
& media/publications, to reprint regularly as part of their promo
flyers - encouraging safety measures to avoid being a victim of
a (hate) crime. LGBT Business Enhancement Committee & Gay &
Lesbian Chamber of Commerece will be key to get this message
out to the businesses & encourage participation.
- All org. representatives present to contribute a paragraph or 2
(by next Wednesday) for a State of Hate Newsletter to be
produced & distributed electronically by UC|CU, informing all of
todays results, community resources, laws, proceedures - relating
to hate crimes avoiding, reporting & prosecution.
- Ambiente Magazine offered an ongoing vehicle for all orgs. to
reach out to their LGBTQ & supporters - readership.
- Follow-up State of Hate Workshop in approx 90 days to review
progress, continue to discuss issues of Hate in our community,
encourage religious & other community groups to participate,
and find new ways to reach the community with preventive
hate & crime tools/messages. Amy Carswell, Enbar Cohen &
Natalie Hanan to assist in reaching out & invite community
groups not previously involved.
- Consider future State of Hate Worskhops across South Florida - reaching out to their communities in need of dialogue, discussions &
answers.
WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS...
Pridelines Youth Services is a grassroots non-profit organization created by gay youth for LGBTQ youth and their allies in the
wake of Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign. Rooted in a peer-led/adult-facilitated youth group model, and with the
help of Dr Marilyn Volker, Peter Meyer and other concerned adults, the group began meeting at Miami-Dade College in 1982. In
1996, under the leadership of group member Dale Ayres, the group incorporated. Dale became our first Executive Director, we
moved into our own space, and formally changed our name to Pridelines Youth Services. Fundraising efforts increased, Health
Department contracts soon followed and programs grew. Pridelines was one of the first community-based HIV testing sites in
Miami-Dade County. For more than 28 years now, Pridelines has provided safe space, social support, skills building,
leadership development and referrals to mental health, health care and support services for LGBTQ youth and their straight
allies. www.pridelines.org
My reflection on the Unity Coalition Workshop of June 11th: State of Hate
"A Day of Insights and Awareness" is a good title for this workshop because it allowed for the participants to discover bias and
assumptions one can make under pressure from others.
Despite the diversity of the audience and participants, it was obvious that working attendance are working toward the same
community goals. As part of the day's activities, we were able to meet prominent individuals who are also advocates of our
mission - supporters such as Jai Rodriguez and Assistant State Attorney Handen - individuals who use their public image to
bring awareness and to help to the GLBT community.
This initiative strengthened my purpose to educate, as well as to support, parents that are in the journey of accepting their
GLBT child. Cultural groups that have been raised with hatred towards specific group of people from an early age, need our
support and nurturing to bring light and acceptance into their lives, so they can, in turn, accept the lives of their GLBT child.
I am sure that together we will make a difference. Thank you Herb, your organization, and Detective Fernandez for your
dedication to eliminate hatred from the community.
- Rebeca del Cristo, PFLAG Hialeah Representative and LISTENING PARENT: www.fortunatefamilies.org
Gay American Heroes Memorial Foundation
You did a great thing Saturday... Your Light of love and Hope is as bright as ever... Thank you for making us apart of the
workshop..and Honoring all Your Brave LGBT brothers and sisters... and letting the world their LIFE has value and they are
Heroes! we had another murder monday and 5 attacks and bashing since i saw you last ...Really www.dallasvoice.com/trans-
person-murdered-houston-1079771.html
The State Attorney’s Office in Miami Dade County takes Hate Crimes very seriously. In an effort to properly respond to these
cases, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle created a Hate Crimes Unit within her office.
This specialized unit is charged with reviewing all felony arrests that occur in Miami-Dade County to determine if a prejudice or
bias motive exists. If appropriate, a Hate Crimes enhancement is filed, and the Assistant State Attorneys assigned to the Hate
Crime Unit make prosecution of the case the highest priority.
The State Attorney also engages the prosecutors in the Hate Crimes Unit in reaching out to various community groups to
educate and raise awareness about prevention and the prosecution of Hate Crimes.
If anyone feels that they have been the victim of a hate crime, State Attorney Fernandez Rundle encourages them to
immediately report the case to the police. Reporting these crimes is the best way to ensure effective prosecution. Many of these
crimes go unreported, resulting in no penalties for the offenders. The public is also encouraged to reach out to the Miami-Dade
State Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Unit at 305-547-0404 to discuss any issues or concerns.
Safe Schools South Florida, Enbar Cohen - The State of Hate Workshop on Miami Beach was one of utmost success. Opening
up with the Hurricane Shelter Scenario certainly brought to light our own personal perceptions on physical appearances and
ways of self-expression and needless to say, it was interesting to hear the rationale of different modes of thinking in terms of
perception. What I am most pleased about, though, is space, the safe space that was created. The personal stories on crime
and discrimination that attendees shared were so raw and authentic, even with a detective from Miami Beach Police Department
and an Assistant State Attorney in attendance.
The workshop delineated the process of reporting a crime and how it arrives to the State Attorney’s office and it what marks a
case a hate crime. Det.Sanchez and the group discussed about creating literature on avoiding how to be a victim of a crime
along with avenues of reporting and placing it at local business in Miami Beach.
It was such an honor and a pleasure to be amongst a collective thinking group who verbalized thoughts and ideas on ways to
eliminate and educate individuals who may be victims or perpetrators of any form of hate, whether it be acted upon or not. The
information was invaluable to all those in attendance who continue to fuel the idea of creating a safe place for all. www.
safeschoolssouthflorida.org
Pridelines Youth Services is a grassroots non-profit organization created by gay youth for LGBTQ youth and their allies in the
wake of Anita Bryant’s “Save Our Children” campaign. Rooted in a peer-led/adult-facilitated youth group model, and with the
help of Dr Marilyn Volker, Peter Meyer and other concerned adults, the group began meeting at Miami-Dade College in 1982. In
1996, under the leadership of group member Dale Ayres, the group incorporated. Dale became our first Executive Director, we
moved into our own space, and formally changed our name to Pridelines Youth Services. Fundraising efforts increased, Health
Department contracts soon followed and programs grew. Pridelines was one of the first community-based HIV testing sites in
Miami-Dade County. For more than 28 years now, Pridelines has provided safe space, social support, skills building,
leadership development and referrals to mental health, health care and support services for LGBTQ youth and their straight
allies. www.pridelines.org
My reflection on the Unity Coalition Workshop of June 11th: State of Hate
"A Day of Insights and Awareness" is a good title for this workshop because it allowed for the participants to discover bias and
assumptions one can make under pressure from others.
Despite the diversity of the audience and participants, it was obvious that working attendance are working toward the same
community goals. As part of the day's activities, we were able to meet prominent individuals who are also advocates of our
mission - supporters such as Jai Rodriguez and Assistant State Attorney Handen - individuals who use their public image to
bring awareness and to help to the GLBT community.
This initiative strengthened my purpose to educate, as well as to support, parents that are in the journey of accepting their
GLBT child. Cultural groups that have been raised with hatred towards specific group of people from an early age, need our
support and nurturing to bring light and acceptance into their lives, so they can, in turn, accept the lives of their GLBT child.
I am sure that together we will make a difference. Thank you Herb, your organization, and Detective Fernandez for your
dedication to eliminate hatred from the community.
- Rebeca del Cristo, PFLAG Hialeah Representative and LISTENING PARENT: www.fortunatefamilies.org
Gay American Heroes Memorial Foundation
You did a great thing Saturday... Your Light of love and Hope is as bright as ever... Thank you for making us apart of the
workshop..and Honoring all Your Brave LGBT brothers and sisters... and letting the world their LIFE has value and they are
Heroes! we had another murder monday and 5 attacks and bashing since i saw you last ...Really www.dallasvoice.com/trans-
person-murdered-houston-1079771.html
The State Attorney’s Office in Miami Dade County takes Hate Crimes very seriously. In an effort to properly respond to these
cases, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle created a Hate Crimes Unit within her office.
This specialized unit is charged with reviewing all felony arrests that occur in Miami-Dade County to determine if a prejudice or
bias motive exists. If appropriate, a Hate Crimes enhancement is filed, and the Assistant State Attorneys assigned to the Hate
Crime Unit make prosecution of the case the highest priority.
The State Attorney also engages the prosecutors in the Hate Crimes Unit in reaching out to various community groups to
educate and raise awareness about prevention and the prosecution of Hate Crimes.
If anyone feels that they have been the victim of a hate crime, State Attorney Fernandez Rundle encourages them to
immediately report the case to the police. Reporting these crimes is the best way to ensure effective prosecution. Many of these
crimes go unreported, resulting in no penalties for the offenders. The public is also encouraged to reach out to the Miami-Dade
State Attorney’s Office Hate Crimes Unit at 305-547-0404 to discuss any issues or concerns.
Safe Schools South Florida, Enbar Cohen - The State of Hate Workshop on Miami Beach was one of utmost success. Opening
up with the Hurricane Shelter Scenario certainly brought to light our own personal perceptions on physical appearances and
ways of self-expression and needless to say, it was interesting to hear the rationale of different modes of thinking in terms of
perception. What I am most pleased about, though, is space, the safe space that was created. The personal stories on crime
and discrimination that attendees shared were so raw and authentic, even with a detective from Miami Beach Police Department
and an Assistant State Attorney in attendance.
The workshop delineated the process of reporting a crime and how it arrives to the State Attorney’s office and it what marks a
case a hate crime. Det.Sanchez and the group discussed about creating literature on avoiding how to be a victim of a crime
along with avenues of reporting and placing it at local business in Miami Beach.
It was such an honor and a pleasure to be amongst a collective thinking group who verbalized thoughts and ideas on ways to
eliminate and educate individuals who may be victims or perpetrators of any form of hate, whether it be acted upon or not. The
information was invaluable to all those in attendance who continue to fuel the idea of creating a safe place for all. www.
safeschoolssouthflorida.org
