Gay New York City Official Erik Bottcher Responds To Gays Against Groomers Vandals
On December 19, two women entered the offices of New York City council member Erik Bottcher to write anti-LGBTQIA+ graffiti on the property. Following the incident, a group of individuals surrounded Bottcher’s apartment building claiming they were with the group Gays Against Groomers to protest against him, reports Advocate.
BOTTCHER RESPONDS TO THE ALARMING ATTACKS
The groups protesting and vandalising Erik Bottcher’s offices and home were reportedly fired up over a drag time story hour at a public library that Erik Bottcher supported, reports Advocate.
“I attended a drag queen story hour in Chelsea and saw the protest activity outside with signs with vile, hateful anti-LGBTQ language. It got a lot of attention because people were really shocked to see this in Chelsea of all places,” says Bottcher. “I made a statement where I called them the faces of hate, and apparently they didn’t like that. They got my number and have been calling my personal phone.”
These protests have allegedly become increasingly physical and Bottcher has also experienced chalk graffiti outside his home claiming he is a paedophile and groomer. A video posted to Erik Bottcher’s official Twitter account shows how protestors physically assaulted one of his neighbours.
In response to the madness, Bottcher has given interviews clarifying that the Drag Story Hour was not meant to radicalise children, and that the presence of a drag queen does not imply salaciousness.
“Isn’t this what we’re supposed to be doing? Teaching kids about the power of reading, and while we’re at it, we’re teaching a lesson that people come in all shapes and sizes,” says Bottcher.
Luckily, many members of the New York City council have shown support for Erik Bottcher and their solidarity against the hateful rhetoric being aimed at the LGBTQIA+ community at large.
