Governor Andrew Cuomo had directed the state police hate crimes unit to assist the NYPD in its investigation. The incidents attracted considerable media coverage: on Monday night, news crews from NBC and ABC’s New York stations stopped by for interviews.
The flag burnings shocked him-and made him determined to stay open “and stay proud.” Minko opened the bar just over three years ago (on June 24, 2016), and said he had experienced no homophobia during that time.
On Monday evening, when The Daily Beast visited the Alibi Lounge, Minko had kept a beady eye on who was outside, and who was coming in past the rainbow flag flanking its entrance.
