"San Francisco's gay/lesbian community in the 1980s wasn't just facing an AIDS crisis, they also struggled against ongoing anti-gay violence. In 1989, in the midst of a campaign to legally establish anti-gay violence as a hate crime, MCC San Francisco made headlines when their AIDS minister was attacked in her home. The city, the police department, and the LGBTQ community rallied around the church and the minister. And when they finally solved the puzzle of who did it, the answer shocked the church."
"The voices from the service after the first attack include: Rev. Troy Perry, Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches - "If you come for one of us, you come for all of us." Kevin Calegari, Dignity San Francisco - "Somebody by the name of Jesus..." Harry Britt, San Francisco City Supervisor - "It hurts to be reminded of the power of evil." Gayle Orr-Smith, representative of the Mayor's Office - "I am moved when I hear you say you are an angry people." Rev. Duane Wilkerson, United Methodist Church - "But in the event that doubt has crept into your mind...""
San Francisco's gay and lesbian community in the 1980s faced both the AIDS crisis and persistent anti-gay violence. In 1989, during a campaign to classify anti-gay attacks as hate crimes, MCC San Francisco's AIDS minister was assaulted in her home, drawing city, police, and LGBTQ community support for the church and the minister. The incident drew broad public attention and communal solidarity across religious and civic leaders. After an investigation, authorities identified the perpetrator, and the revealed identity of the attacker came as a profound shock to the church and congregants.
Read at Slate Magazine
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