NEWARK, Nov. 30 — To reside in Newark frequently means grappling with unrelenting poverty, the anesthetizing appeal of medications, murderous gangs, too little decent jobs.

But also for homosexual males, lesbians and transgender individuals, you will find extra hurdles which can be seldom recognized: gay bashings, H.I.V., available hostility from numerous spiritual leaders and quite often callous therapy by the police.

When venturing outside their Central Ward neighborhood, Tyrone Simpson, 19, remains on primary thoroughfares and steers free from the males in gang colors interested in effortless quarry. Dynasty Mitchell, 21, an aspiring poet whom works at a supermarket, has discovered to merge by extending a check here do-rag over their mind and adopting a thuggish gait in public areas. Continue reading →