N.Y. Governor
Condemns Youth Center Attack

New York governor David Paterson says the vandalism that happened at a Long Island gay youth center was "despicable" and condemned such acts of hatred and violence.

"In the diverse world in which we live, where we find ourselves increasingly dependent on each other to advance the qualities of our own lives, we must learn to celebrate our differences and embrace our common condition," Paterson said in a statement. "We must understand that an attack on any of us is an attack on all of us. Hate is unacceptable."

Galen Kirkland, New York's commissioner for Human Rights, will visit the Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth center on Friday for a public forum at 3 p.m.

David Kilmnick, the center's executive director, told Advocate.com on Tuesday that the community's response in the wake of the vandalism has been "overwhelming. It's brought several staff members to tears."

Word of the crime, which took place sometime between the evening of January 31 and the morning of February 2, spread across Long Island and eventually across the country. According to Newsday, the center has received $10,000 in donations to make repairs to its damaged van and broken glass door.

Police are investigating the attack as a hate crime. (Michelle Garcia, Advocate.com)