A gay couple was attacked at Seattle Pride on Sunday, June 28. Police are still looking for the 3 suspects involved in this attack. Two similar
bias attacks also occurred on the same day and in both of those cases, the suspects were caught and arrested on
malicious harassment charges which is Washington’s statute for
Hate Crimes.
The gay couple who was attacked identifies as Steven Briggs and Patrick Dettling.
A gay couple was beaten bloody in one of a string of hate-fueled attacks during Pride weekend in Seattle, authorities said.
The three then jumped the men, breaking one victim’s nose during the assault. The man’s boyfriend lost a tooth and suffered a broken finger, cops said.
The bloody confrontation proves the Supreme Court’s historic ruling legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide didn’t erase hate and ignorance, the Olympia, Wash., couple said.
Seattle police said they’re still searching for the three suspects who fled with two women.
A second incident involved an attack on another man wearing rainbow-colored beads.
A 23-year-old man threatened another man wearing rainbow-colored beads, calling him a homophobic slur as he jammed a hard object against the victim’s stomach, authorities said.
“Is your life worth that much?” he allegedly asked the victim.
The victim backed away, but then flagged down police, assuming the hard object was the barrel of a gun.
Police arrested the 23-year-old on a malicious harassment charge, Washington’s statute for hate crime attacks. They didn’t find a gun.
The third attack was against a transgender victim.
“Did you enjoy your parade?” the man allegedly asked before punching the victim in the face several times, reeling off anti-gay slurs.
The woman jumped on the victim’s back, and the man stepped on victim’s head before they took off.
Cops caught the 35-year-old man shortly after with the victim’s help and booked him into Kings County Jail on a charge of malicious assault.
His female accomplice was still on the loose.
We in the LGBT community and our supporters have much to celebrate in the wake of the Marriage Equality ruling by the Supreme Court but we also need to be aware that violence against us could increase as a result. Let’s be careful and be aware of our surroundings and remain vigilant. Let’s stand ready to be there for each other.
Update, 5 July. A reader suggested carrying whistles as a good way to alert LGBT friendly people in the area that someone is in distress. I think this is a good idea, particularly in areas which are more likely to see violence.
Whistle Safe
Thanks Dallasdoc.