NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYMEMBER ARAVELLA SIMOTAS For Immediate Release May 20, 2013 Contact:

Jim McFadden, 718-545-3889

Simotas Condemns Recent LGBT Hate Crimes

NEW YORK, N.Y.- On Monday, Assemblymember Aravella Simotas joined other public figures in expressing condolences for the young man killed over the weekend in Greenwich Village and the troubling recent rise in similar attacks against LGBT individuals. I extend my thoughts and prayers to the family of Mark Carson and to all those affected by the disturbing wave of recent attacks against our LGBT friends, said Simotas. These hate crimes have no place in a city built upon its diversity and strong tradition of acceptance. We must work with law enforcement officials and as a community to ensure that everyone can feel safe to walk the streets with a loved one and never have to fear expressing who they are. ###