During Pride Month, June 2019, right-wing provocateur Brandon Straka and his "#WalkAway" organization, along with Blaire White and Mike Harlow, <a href="https://www.gaycitynews.com/walkaway-leader-sues-lgbt-center/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sued</a> activists and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual &amp; Transgender Community Center in New York City for <a href="https://gothamist.com/news/update-lgbtq-center-cancels-right-wing-event-amid-uproar" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">publishing an open letter</a>  justifiably identifying them as racist, sexist, transphobic, xenophobic, and generally dangerous bigots.  The two of us — Gordon Beeferman and Jason Rosenberg — were swept up in this brazen <a href="https://anti-slapp.org/what-is-a-slapp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“SLAPP” defamation lawsuit</a>  by well-funded right-wing shills to silence those of us who fight against blatant hate and discrimination. Now, thanks to the bad-ass and brilliant lawyers Elena L. Cohen and J. Remy Green of <a href="https://femmelaw.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Cohen&amp;Green</a>  (#FemmeLaw), who have worked for no money to date, our constitutionally protected right to call a racist a racist has been affirmed! In order to compensate these lawyers for their tireless efforts on behalf of free speech, civil rights, and dignity, we're asking for your help. Please chip in what you can to help us pay Cohen &amp; Green for their labor — and so that they can keep defending this amazing result if and when Straka and his friends  inevitably appeal. In this time of “alternative facts” and “good people on both sides,” we cannot let the far-right intimidate us into silence. Join us in the fight to end the mobilization of hate in our country.  Thank you so much for your support! In solidarity,  Gordon Beeferman and Jason Rosenberg


 


 


A little fine print from the lawyers:


Donations will be made to our legal team as the “beneficiaries” of this fundraiser, for them to bill against during this case for their attorneys’ fees and related expenses (like, for example, the fee that New Jersey charges to defend a lawsuit!). Donations are non-refundable and are not tax-deductible. Excess funds may be used to fund similar litigation by agreement with our lawyers. Donating does not entitle you to receive any confidential information about or exert any control over the litigation; nor does it establish any contract between you and our lawyers or confer any rights upon you as a third-party beneficiary. Please consult a professional if you have questions about the legal or tax implications of donating. Thank you.

Anonymous

Suman Pal

Aditya C

Bruce Swicker

Linda and Bob Rosenberg

Christian Lillis

Dominic De Martini

jack hamilton

Samantha & David 

Chase Purdy

Glen Davis

Jimmy Macbride

Nadav Nazarathy

Miki Yamanaka

Jenna Ferreira

Asafe Pereira

Defamation Lawsuit Against Queer Activists

Defamation Lawsuit Against Queer Activists

Still $25,866 to go. Help us build momentum.