Thousands of people marched through the streets of Manhattan to protest against the killing of a gay man allegedly taunted with homophobic slurs - the most recent in a spate of bias attacks stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage in a famously gay-friendly neighbourhood.
"We're here! We're queer!" and "Homophobia's got to go!" were among chants as a crowd marked the death of 32-year-old Mark Carson in Greenwich Village in Manhattan.
Carson was killed on Sunday as he walked with a companion through Greenwich Village. Police say a man charged with murder as a hate crime shot Carson in the head.
Officials said police would increase their presence there and in nearby neighbourhoods until the end of June, Gay Pride Month.
A group that combats anti-gay violence planned to fan out to various areas on Friday nights to talk to people about safety. And public schools are being asked to hold assemblies or other discussions of hate crimes and bullying before summer break.
