"We have seen an Associated Press photograph of a bomb being loaded onto the USS Enterprise, one of the ships involved in the current U.S. attacks in Afghanistan. In the photo, graffiti written on the bomb, apparently destined for an Afghan target, is appalling. The warhead is scrawled with the message "HIGH JACK THIS FAGS" (sic). The U.S. Navy must address this very serious and dangerous demonstration of homophobia. It's not enough to excuse this because of the heightened crisis facing the country. Homophobia is wrong during war or during peace," said Richard Haymes, NCAVP Board Member and Executive Director of the New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project.

"The message equates gays with the 'enemy,' it places gay, lesbian and bisexual servicemembers, who are serving as honorably as anyone else at this time at risk and dishonors them. It also denigrates gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans who perished in the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, fought to save others over Pennsylvania on doomed United Airlines Flight 93, and who valiantly rushed to assist those after the attacks in their roles as firemen, police officers, emergency personnel, and private citizens. All of this at a time of alleged national unity," Haymes concluded.

"In the last weeks, Jerry Falwell and Lou Sheldon have been criticized for their ridiculous comments that tried to cast lesbians and gays, among others, as being responsible for the attacks on September 11, and for statements that gay and lesbian survivors should not receive aid and assistance. They were, appropriately, cast as foolish, offensive and contemptible," said NCAVP Board member, Jeffrey Montgomery, Executive Director of the Triangle Foundation in Detroit. "The warhead on the USS Enterprise is as contemptible and a far more serious instance of gay-bashing because it comes from those charged with our protection and defense. We deal with anti-gay statements, violence and sentiment every day, however, it is the context of this instance that is so chilling."