LGBT activists attempt to address notorious homophobe New York State Senator and Pentecostal minister Ruben Diaz’s scheduled hate rally. From Steven Thrasher at Village Voice:

The kids over at Queer Rising, whose actions for marriage equality have been some of the more entertaining protests we’ve covered lately, were incensed when they heard of Diaz’s plans to hold an anti-gay rally during the annual AIDS Walk. Faced with a conundrum about whether to counter-protest Diaz in the Bronx, or to support the largest fundraiser to fight HIV/AIDS of the year, they’ve come up with a pretty fun solution.

From their press release:

Queer Rising will have a large cut-out Ruben Diaz figure replete with “fabulous costume changes” that people will have the opportunity to take photos with at the AIDS Walk for $1.00. All proceeds of will be donated directly to GMHC, with suggested directing of funding to HIV/AIDS work specifically in the Bronx.

Queer Rising member Jake Goodman is quoted as saying, “We are deeply offended by his sullying this inspiring day of charity to promote an agenda of hate.”

You can find Queer Rising and the ersatz Diaz on the AIDS Walk route at Riverside Drive and W. 95th beginning at 10:30am, this Sunday, May 15.

Full press release after the fold.

Queer Rising invites you to join “Ruben’s Drag Race” At AIDS Walk To Benefit The Bronx

New York, NY — Sunday, May 15 marks one of the most beautiful and inspiring traditions of New York, the 26th annual AIDS Walk.

AIDS Walk started in 1986 at a time when people with HIV were abandoned by our local and Federal governments, unable to find doctors to care for them, or even undertakers to bury them. Thirty years later AIDS Walk stands as a beautiful, shining monument to the generous spirit of all New Yorkers pulling together to overcome an enormous tragedy.

That is why it is particularly tragic and offensive Reverend and Senator Rueben Diaz has chosen May 15th-of all days-to organize a hateful and divisive anti-gay march in the Bronx.  “We are deeply offended by his sullying this inspiring day of charity to promote an agenda of hate,” said Jake Goodman, a member of Queer Rising.

Despite the sad reality that the Bronx struggles with one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the country-and the fact that Diaz is himself an ex-intravenous drug user-Diaz devoted his day to entertaining non-constituents, fomenting homophobia and hatred over the imaginary problem of marriage equality, and aiming that hatred towards the LGBT community.

Queer Rising is inviting AIDS Walkers and passerbyers to stop by “Ruben’s Drag Race” at Riverside Drive and West 95th Street to send Senator Diaz a message: HIV must end; the hatred must end; the violence must end; the bullying must end; the teen suicides must end.  “There is no place in New York City for the kind of display he has organized and New Yorkers repudiate his divisive agenda of hate.”

Queer Rising will have a large cut-out Ruben Diaz figure replete with “fabulous costume changes” that people will have the opportunity to take photos with at the AIDS Walk for $1.00. All proceeds of will be donated directly to GMHC, with suggested directing of funding to HIV/AIDS work specifically in the Bronx.

“If Senator Diaz cannot be bothered to advocate on his constituents’ behalf, we will have to work to make up the difference and let them know that they are not abandoned,” said Goodman.

Photos will be available on Queer Rising’s Tumblr page.

Date:  Sunday, May 15th

Time:  Meeting at 10:30am

Location:  Riverside Drive and West 95th Street (along the AIDS Walk route)