"People need to be conscious of the potential for a backlash against the gay community and to be careful not only in speech but in watching for any kind of acting out whether by teens or adults," she said.
"We were afraid this would happen and now everyone needs to be vigilant," she said.
National Week to End Violence
In other business, the council recognized the city's involvement in the National Week to End Violence, which is sponsored by the YWCA.
Now in its fourth year locally, the week of educational events has included a reception at City Hall as well as a "Celebration of Youth" at the Cambridge YWCA on Temple Street yesterday that included discussion groups about safety skills, 911 emergencies and issues of violence.
"The aim is to stress tolerance and maintain a constant focus on violence, particularly that perpetrated against women," said Cambridge YWCA Executive Director Loretta Davis.
Nancy Ryan, director of the Cambridge Women's Commission, made reference after the proclamation on Monday to recent crimes against women, in particular the recent kidnapping and rape of a Cambridge woman at Cambridgeside Galleria.
"Although the week is about acknowledging violence in all its forms, particular events focus on violence against women which many of us are not aware of," said Ryan, stressing that students should attend the "Celebrating Families" vigil to be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday on the steps of First Baptist Church in Central Square. The vigil will be followed by a reception and tabling by local support groups.
"The fact is having a child abducted is a tragedy, but for women it's routine," Ryan said. "People just are not as outraged about violence against women. We have to make it real all the time."
There will be an open mic at the vigil, which follows a "Celebration of Youth" staged at the YWCA yesterday, a teen discussion today and events for seniors to be held there tomorrow.
Cambridge resident Jill Wallach, Davis's assistant at the YWCA, said most residents see students as a valuable resource and that she hopes many will turn out at the vigil to find out more about city volunteer and support groups.
"[Students] are just as effected by violence as we are," Wallach said. "And we definitely want them to get involved."