When last year’s Pride weekend gay bashings came to my beloved city, and a place where I usually feel very safe, I was shaken. But it seems the battle is not over yet. Pride season, the heat of summer, have barely begun but already there are reports of more than one attack on a gay community member in the last couple days. This is all coming on the heels of a recent phone tree rumor warning of Neo-Nazi attacks in the area. This was never confirmed.
Reports are still sketchy, and major news sources don’t seem to have picked up on much, but local CC Slaughters DJ Robb Nelson says on the Facebook page for Red Cap Garage:
i…was walking then approached by three guys…next thing i remember i was home. hit in the face a few times, scraped up arms . i dont remember but i called someone that came and got me . my jaw is swollen and messed up a bit, but ok. the not remembering is what scares me
A meeting was to have taken place late this evening to begin organizing and dialoguing but so far no concrete news of next steps although there are suggestions of a volunteer force to walk people safely to their homes and vehicles and Red Cap promoter and community member Michael Olsen has said:
…this is going to be bigger than something thrown together in a few hours. I’m in touch with PSPI and will be getting in touch with Sam Adams, self-defense groups and others. At this point, share ideas on what we can do tonight at RCG, or send me, Andrey or Red Cap Garage a message with your ideas…
The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence have sent around tips for staying safe and qPDX.com has a few more safety recommendations as well.
For a heartfelt take on the subject you can also visit the blog of local musician Logan Lynn.
The Q Center will also be holding a self-defense class in conjunction with Savory Pink Productions and One With Heart this June.
More details as they become available.
Any more updates on this incident?
A facebook group called “Solidarity – People AGAINST gay bashing in Portland” was created in response to the recent violence, also a meeting is in the works for later this week that will involve the Mayor’s office, police officials and concerned community groups.
The people who were attacked have filed police reports, and action will be taken to make our community safe.
Sam Adams has been talking to some of the victims – he confirmed this via his twitter: http://twitter.com/MAYORSAMADAMS
I have contacted Portland’s LGBTQ Liason, Clay Neal, to see if we can get some more details. We’ll post more info as soon as we get it.
I’ve been hearing about up to 4 possible attacks this weekend but this is hearsay at the moment…
Clay Neal is out of town, but still sent me an email.
This is his response:
Hi Perry,
I’m out of the office today, but also hearing from many sources about these incidents. I’ve been informed that Chief of Police Mike Reece is aware of the incidents and that the Police Bureau is investigating. Once we know more I will be sure to inform you and others who have inquired. For now, please encourage anyone you know or are in contact with who has information about the incidents this weekend to contact Portland Police Bias Crimes Investigations at 503.823.0887.
Thank you for your sincere concern. I’ll be in touch soon.
Sincerely,
Clay
I am aware of another attack that occured on Sat night outside of Silverado. A older gay man was attacked when he left silverado late sat night, He also told me someone had vandalized his car, He felt the same person did both. I will try to get his name and see if there is a way to get him to the meeting on gay bashing on Wednesday night put on by the q center. He told me the guy was a straight guy, who approached him as he left the bar and punched him twice in the face, he was knocked unconcious and the attacker was gone when he came to. He told me he did not report it to the police. I urged him to file a report
Hey Jeff,
thanks for your input. If you manage to get in touch with the man you spoke with, please urge him to contact the Bias Crimes hotline at 503.823.0887.
While many of us have issues with the police for various reasons, it’s very important that we make the authorities aware that this kind of behaviour is happening in our city…
/perry
Last night after my post I remembered the name of the man that was attacked outside silverado. His name is Leonard, I will try to contact him and forward the reporting bias number to call.
Thanks
More info on another specific incident following Red Cap’s Saturday party Leotard at the Mercury’s Blogtown: http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2010/06/01/alleged-gay-bashing-on-burnside-sparks-fear-anger
Sad
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