March 5, 2021
NZ Drag Artist Says He and Partner Attacked by Mob of 5, Left in 'Pool of Blood'
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A New Zealand drag performer took to Facebook to describe a harrowing attack in which he said five men viciously beat him and his partner as they were out celebrating Auckland Pride Month.
The evening started with the men "all dressed up in stunning outfits, celebrating the last weekend of pride month," Ray Gardiner's post said.
But the night ended in brutality and bloodshed, Gardiner continued.
"5 str8 guys beat me and kicked me even once I was unconscious," posted Gardiner, who performs under the name Kourtney Khaos. "Waking up in a puddle of my own blood sucked."
"I've never been in this much pain," Gardiner added, which accompanied photos of his battered face.
The attack took place on Friday, February 26. Gardiner recounted, when "me and my partner were all dressed up in stunning fucking outfits celebrating the last weekend of pride month".
Gardiner said he and his partner, Tyler Vodanovich-Trott, "were followed around the streets for... 40 minutes" by the men, who he said "hunted us".
When the couple went down a darkened side street, Gardiner wrote, the men "pulled up, ;started] yelling things, like 'Faggot' 'homos,' 'cocksuckers' and other homophobic insults, and when my partner asked them to please leave us alone, all of them got out of the car and went for him".
At that point, Gardiner drew the attention of the attackers by screaming, he wrote. Then, "all 5 of them kicked and punched me constantly," with the attack continuing even after he blacked out.
Australian newspaper the Star Observer reported on the assault, saying that Gardiner "sustained a broken nose and severe concussion," and detailing that the assailants fled "when residents of a neighboring apartment building nearby came out".
"I don't really see why people get the right to punish someone for being who they are and happy with who they are," Gardiner told the newspaper.
Auckland city crime squad Detective Scott Armstrong said police were "analyzing security camera footage from the area," and added, "police would like to reassure the community that we are taking this incident seriously, and we do not tolerate this sort of act."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
