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How The 1990 Killing Of A Gay Man Led To New York's First Hate Crime Laws
October 31, 2026
On July 4th in 1990, bartender Julio Rivera was lured to a dark alley in Queens. Three men attacked the 29-year-old gay man, killing him. Rivera's death became a rallying cry for New York City's LGBTQIA+ community, whose members demanded action and change. The men responsible for Rivera's death became the city's first hate-crime arrests. In this installment of "New York Gritty," Inside Edition's Sal Bono speaks with Julio's loved ones, as well as police, and examines how change came about.






































































































































































































