Disabled veteran, Jimmy Zapalorti, was murder on January 22, 1990 in Staten Island, New York for being gay. While in the navy he had suffered a nervous breakdown after being assaulted by some shipmates who then killed his lover. Zapalorti’s death was recognized as the first anti-gay hate crime and led to increased efforts to pass a statewide hate crime laws, which were ultimately enacted in 2000. The James Zapalorti Memorial Mandala is decorated with discarded cemetery flowers from Georgia and the design highlights many elements of Jimmy’s life. The yellow center is the sun he watched from his make shift hut over the Arthur Kill waterway. The green center represents his love of nature and Staten Island, The cross symbolizes his deep faith which is surrounded by rainbow colors and a pink circle representing his being gay. The white navy compass leading into the colors of the United States flag complete the design. This work is now a part of the permanent collection at The Staten Island Museum.
