October 4, 2010
Man allegedly gay-bashed inside NYC's landmark Stonewall Inn
Michael K. Lavers READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Two separate hate crimes over the past weekend have sparked outrage among LGBT activists and politicians in New York City.
Matthew Francis, 21, and Christopher Orlando, 17, both of Staten Island, allegedly beat a man inside the bathroom at the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street in New York City's West Village early on Sunday, Oct. 3.
The New York Post reported one of the suspects demanded money from the 34-year-old man while he stood at a urinal. One of the suspects reportedly asked the victim if he was gay before he and his accomplice began to punch and tackle him.
"We at the Anti-Violence Project are especially saddened that this attack occurred at the Stonewall Inn, a longtime friend and ally of AVP's work, and most importantly, an enduring symbol of the resilience within New York's LGBTQ communities," said AVP in a statement released on Monday, Oct. 4.
In a second incident, Andrew Jackson, 20, and several others allegedly attacked two men on the corner of 25th Street and Ninth Avenue in Chelsea late on Friday, Oct. 1, as they hugged and kissed each other good bye.
The Post reported Jackson shouted anti-gay slurs at the two men before he allegedly struck one of them in the head with a garbage can.
New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn also expressed outrage.
"The hateful few who committed these acts do not represent New Yorkers and our community will not be cowed by acts of violence," she said.
The New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force continues to investigate the two incidents.
Based in Washington, D.C., Michael K. Lavers has appeared in the New York Times, BBC, WNYC, Huffington Post, Village Voice, Advocate and other mainstream and LGBT media outlets. He is an unapologetic political junkie who thoroughly enjoys living inside the Beltway.
