Manhattan

Pride Flags Set on Fire at Harlem Gay Bar, Police Say

A police spokesman says the rainbow flags were burned just after midnight Friday at the Alibi Lounge a day before the start of the city's Pride Month celebrations

What to Know

  • Police say they're investigating a possible anti-gay bias crime after pride flags were set on fire at the entrance of a gay bar in Harlem
  • A police spokesman says the rainbow flags were burned just after midnight Friday at the Alibi Lounge
  • On its Instagram, the business bills itself as the only black-owned gay lounge in New York City, serving food and drinks

Rainbow flags were set on fire at the entrance of a gay bar in Harlem on the eve of Pride Month, police said. 

The flags were burned just after midnight Friday at the Alibi Lounge a day before the start of the city's Pride Month celebrations, a police spokesman said. 

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was directing the State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to assist the NYPD in the investigation. 

"There is no place for hate in New York and those responsible for this repugnant behavior must be held accountable," Cuomo said in a statement. 

On its Instagram, the business bills itself as the only black-owned gay lounge in Harlem, serving food and drinks.

Photos of the scorched, multicolored flags were posted online.

No one was injured and rain extinguished the flames.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us