Recently it was revealed that the infamous Harlem hate church, Atalh Worldwide Church was being foreclosed on. The “church” which is headed by James Manning has featured some very hateful anti LGBT statements on its signs. The Ali Forney Center, a Harlem based LGBT homeless shelter and aid organization quickly started a fund-raising campaign in order to buy the church and turn it from a place of hate to a place of love and support. Now, the AFC has hit their goal. However, there is still work to be done. #HarlemNoHate
AFC Executive Director Carl Siciliano spoke about the plans the center has for the church should they win the auction (via Press Release):
“We hope to turn a place that promotes hatred and violence into a space of healing and compassion.”
In less than two weeks the group managed to reach their goal of $200,000 towards buying the ATLAH Church. Sicilano went on to discuss the support that the #HarlemNoHate campaign has received:
“It has been an extraordinary two weeks. We have been overwhelmed with support and encouragement and now have the opportunity to turn a place that has promoted hatred and violence into a safe space for LGBT homeless youth.”
Siciliano also to discuss the center’s namesake and how the purchase will serve as poetic justice:
“Ali Forney, who inspired the founding of the organization, was murdered in Harlem in 1997, only 12 blocks from ATLAH. In 2013 Islan Nettles was beaten to death in Harlem only one mile from ATLAH. Could there be a more just outcome to the ATLAH foreclosure than that the young LGBT people most endangered by the hatred and contempt Manning promotes would take over his building?”
The mission is far from over. The AFC could still use your help. You can donate by visiting https://harlemnohate.org/.
