Thursday, February 26, 2009
Crime / Homo Last Weekend’s Gay Bashing
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Feb 26, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Jerry Knight, 41, the victim of a gay bashing on Saturday night, was reluctant to discuss the incident. "I’ll be honest. It's hard for me. The only reason I am is to hopefully do my part in bringing violence to our community to light,” he told The Stranger. “I am pretty pissed that they broke a tooth.”
He sent a small photo of his bloodied face taken on the night of the attack, which is after the jump. “I took a photo of myself so that I can remind myself to be angry. There will be a time that it will remind me to get out there and do something.”
On Saturday night at about 1:30 a.m., Knight was walking home through the Central District when two men targeted him. One yelled, “Where the fuck are you coming from?” and the other yelled “Faggot!”, according to the police report. The men jumped him from behind and repeatedly punched Knight in the face; then they knocked him to the ground and started kicking him. Knight fought back. And the two attackers then fled the scene. Knight’s white outfit was splattered with blood when police arrived.
Knight, who was at Gay Bingo earlier in the evening, thinks his outfit, a sailor suit, may have gotten the men's attention. “It’s funny because I usually change my costume at the site.” He adds, “It think that I was an the wrong place at the wrong time, and two guys felt the need to hit somebody.”
But for many men who have been the victims of a growing number of gay bashings, the “wrong place” seems to be almost anywhere near Capitol Hill. Three weeks ago, another man was reportedly the target of a gay bashing near 10th Avenue and East Madison Street, a few blocks from Knight's attack.
“When I first moved here they had the Q-Patrol,” a volunteer group in black-and-white fatigues who would patrol Capitol Hill, Knight says. “I would love for the Q-Patrol to return.” Their presence, he says, would remind gay people “we are not alone.”
A candlelight vigil and march is scheduled in response to a “recent upsurge in hate crimes against members of LGBTQ community” this Saturday, February 28 that begins at 8:00 p.m. by the pillars on Boren Avenue and Pike Street. I’ll post more about the vigil later today.
The Seattle Police Department has referred Knight’s case to its bias-crimes detective. “I am really proud of our police department and how seriously they took it,” says Knight. “It reinforced my faith in the police department. They really made me feel safe.”
Small photo after the jump.
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1
He reluctantly talks about the incident? WTF, well I guess we'll reluctantly listen.
If he REALLY wants to bring light to the violence against Gay citizens one would think he would Stand on the highest hill and shout, hammer in the morning, hammer in the evening, take a lesson from other groups that have been violated, beaten, killed... You get the point.
If he REALLY wants to bring light to the violence against Gay citizens one would think he would Stand on the highest hill and shout, hammer in the morning, hammer in the evening, take a lesson from other groups that have been violated, beaten, killed... You get the point.
2
Why is it that everybody loves the Q Patrol, but nobody seems all that willing to put in the hard work needed to bring it back?
3
OK Sargon. Let's beat the crap out of you. Maybe even to the point where you think you might be killed. You know...really scare the shit out of you. Break something...a tooth..a bone. Make sure there's lots of blood and swelling.
Then, after you've told the story to the cops, the detectives, the medics, the ER intake nurses, the doctors, all your friends and family, the PI, the Times, your neighbors etc etc etc.... we'll see how much you want to re-live the event one more time. You know..for the sake of humanity.
Then, after you've told the story to the cops, the detectives, the medics, the ER intake nurses, the doctors, all your friends and family, the PI, the Times, your neighbors etc etc etc.... we'll see how much you want to re-live the event one more time. You know..for the sake of humanity.
4
I'm a straight male who generally dresses in a nice, retro sort of way: trench coats, overcoats, fedoras, etc... I've gotten harassed and called "fag" by carloads of guys twice: once in Santa Rosa CA, and once in Santa Cruz CA.
I was lucky in that I was only threatened and harassed, but it was still terrifying. Anyone who thinks gay bashing is harmless fun needs to have their junk chopped off.
I was lucky in that I was only threatened and harassed, but it was still terrifying. Anyone who thinks gay bashing is harmless fun needs to have their junk chopped off.
5
13th and Columbia is hardly the CD - more like "near Seattle U". I would think that folks near Seattle U would relieved to see a homosexual unaccompanied by a child.
6
I met Jerry last Saturday night for the first time, he's a sweet guy. I commend you Jerry for speaking out. I live on the hill and often walk home alone after going out with friends and it just hurts me that I need to be so cautious on Capital Hill. I love the idea of bringing back Q Patrol I remember them from when I first moved here. I am glad he shared his story, I think he knows he has a large supportive group.
8
@4
Sorry, on behalf of people from Santa Rosa. They're generally nice liberal folks, but every town has exceptions.
Sorry, on behalf of people from Santa Rosa. They're generally nice liberal folks, but every town has exceptions.
9
Homophobia and its resultant reactionary violence knows no border or geography. I grew up queer in Idaho and was verbally harassed (and followed by the police there), but not until I moved to Seattle was I physically attacked for it.
I have gay friends in both places who have been beaten up.
It can happen anywhere.
It's wrong anywhere.
I have gay friends in both places who have been beaten up.
It can happen anywhere.
It's wrong anywhere.
11
The police need to have a registered gay basher file and let the neighborhoods of these felons know where they live. PEOPLE should have as much protection from their would-be attackers as any child or woman has from registered sex offenders.
This kind of shit will never go away, just as racist attacks never will.
This kind of shit will never go away, just as racist attacks never will.
12
Jerry Knight?! WTF?!!! I know Jerry Knight- and he's one of the sweetest guys I know! Those F'king Bastards!
13
I've been spit on and attacked in the Castro, as well as Capitol Hill, so stay on guard wherever you are, people.
One thing I've noticed with some consistency, however, is that the cops are way more helpful in traditionally liberal places. SFPD got our attackers arrested. The OC? Not so much. They were just giant pricks to us.
One thing I've noticed with some consistency, however, is that the cops are way more helpful in traditionally liberal places. SFPD got our attackers arrested. The OC? Not so much. They were just giant pricks to us.
15
I don't buy it. The guy had to be involved in something else to get beaten like that and now he's seeking to make something else out of it to advance his special rights agenda. If he's not involved in something else I bet that those who did that to him would have done the same to an eighty year old lady regardless of who she went to bed with.
17
@ 5: Do you realize how many gays go to Seattle U? It's Jesuit yes, but it's also a damn art school. Young people are hardly the ones to be pissed at...
20
First of all I have been bashed, though it was at a small "Christian" college in Spokane in the early 1990's, it totally sucks that in SEATTLE, a "World Class City" according to our mayor, that this shit goes with very little attention by the GOP voting media outlets in town. But maybe KIRO or KING or KOMO did cover this. Did they?
I'm glad the Stranger did talk about it and for those of you who keep thinking that Capital Hill's loss of it's gay identity is a good thing; take a look at actual World Class Cities, last I checked Chicago, New York, all have their strongly gay identified areas of town.
Would more bars or gay driven business on Capital Hill help prevent this? I am not sure but talking with friends in Chicago; they're shocked how much more of this shit happens in Seattle than they hear about in Chicago on Halstead or around Boys Town.
Face it, this is just going to keep increasing until they Queer stand up and take part of Seattle back. Numbers will scare the shit out of these fucking homophobic assholes.
I'm glad the Stranger did talk about it and for those of you who keep thinking that Capital Hill's loss of it's gay identity is a good thing; take a look at actual World Class Cities, last I checked Chicago, New York, all have their strongly gay identified areas of town.
Would more bars or gay driven business on Capital Hill help prevent this? I am not sure but talking with friends in Chicago; they're shocked how much more of this shit happens in Seattle than they hear about in Chicago on Halstead or around Boys Town.
Face it, this is just going to keep increasing until they Queer stand up and take part of Seattle back. Numbers will scare the shit out of these fucking homophobic assholes.
22
#2 Okay let's do try that. You'll find you've grabbed a Tiger by the tail and if you let go you'll be thrown around like a rag doll.
And YES I would tell everyone. Yes I would relive that event. NO I will not shut up about it.
This victim of violence is shy about telling the story? Well guess what Tacomagirl, it takes Guts to stand up and tell your story, as ugly and painful as that story might be. Stop playing victim.
And YES I would tell everyone. Yes I would relive that event. NO I will not shut up about it.
This victim of violence is shy about telling the story? Well guess what Tacomagirl, it takes Guts to stand up and tell your story, as ugly and painful as that story might be. Stop playing victim.
23
It does happen anywhere and to anyone. My straight husband was badly beaten some years ago in Vancouver, in the so-called gay part of town. The guys who beat him let him know, as they broke ribs and bruised his spleen, that they thought he was gay and that's why they were beating him. I wondered then, as I do in the case of Mr. Knight, where the hell are the people who hear this occurring? Inside or outside, call 911 and try to help the person being beaten!
It does take guts to talk about what happened, but it also takes a presence of mind that many people understandable lack after a traumatic and shocking event. After an attack like that, most of us -- understandably -- go into a scared, what we think is self-protective mode.
Let's look out for each other and never, ever blame the victim. That's just bullshit.
It does take guts to talk about what happened, but it also takes a presence of mind that many people understandable lack after a traumatic and shocking event. After an attack like that, most of us -- understandably -- go into a scared, what we think is self-protective mode.
Let's look out for each other and never, ever blame the victim. That's just bullshit.
24
Based on location, another example of wonderful groids and their diverse culture...
When is Seattle gonna wake up and smash these apes into the dirt?!
When is Seattle gonna wake up and smash these apes into the dirt?!
25
I'm not one for revenge, or bloodlust with anger in my heart (or others) so, I'll just hope that karma puts those nice young men in the wrong neighborhood one night. Imagine that story, we were just walking along, and....
*sigh*
I use to do a safe walk program (while in uni), have volunteered at Planned Parenthood, and generaly love to help those who need a safe walk/ride home. I'm blessed/cursed with a big physique so most people don't mess with me. The only annoyance I suffer, is people assuming that I don't have a bleeding heart because I have muscles.
Here's hoping those two morons get what's coming to them.
*sigh*
I use to do a safe walk program (while in uni), have volunteered at Planned Parenthood, and generaly love to help those who need a safe walk/ride home. I'm blessed/cursed with a big physique so most people don't mess with me. The only annoyance I suffer, is people assuming that I don't have a bleeding heart because I have muscles.
Here's hoping those two morons get what's coming to them.
27
I thought Seattle was one of the few cities where a grown man could dress as a member of the Village People and walk the streets. If it's this bad in Seattle, imagine life on Oklahoma City or Duluth. Horrible.
If there was a Q Patrol and they stumbled upon the beating and laid into those jerks, dollars to donuts there'd be an outcry about violent gangs of gays taking the law into their own hands.
If there was a Q Patrol and they stumbled upon the beating and laid into those jerks, dollars to donuts there'd be an outcry about violent gangs of gays taking the law into their own hands.
28
Andrew @20... The whole Chicago comparison is exactly what I have been thinking about this. I lived in Boystown for four years and I don't remember hearing about even a fraction of the cases of gay bashing as I've read about occurring in Seattle. I honestly wonder why that is? What's going on in Seattle that gay bashings are happening more frequently?
29
@22
so he's telling his story now, but now - five days later -isn't soon enough for you. you say he's gutless because he's not reacting the way you would. would you just stand back take a breath and recognize that's posture as fairly shitty. you have small clue of the depth of his pain or anger. many victims of crime never come forward publically because the lack of sympathy and sentiments like yours just adds salt to the wounds.
i also know jerry personally. he's a very kind, noble and giving person. the way he's dealing with this, even publicly, is in line with the thoughtful and fair minded person he is. take him at his word that he's very hurt and angry. support him, don't blame him.
so he's telling his story now, but now - five days later -isn't soon enough for you. you say he's gutless because he's not reacting the way you would. would you just stand back take a breath and recognize that's posture as fairly shitty. you have small clue of the depth of his pain or anger. many victims of crime never come forward publically because the lack of sympathy and sentiments like yours just adds salt to the wounds.
i also know jerry personally. he's a very kind, noble and giving person. the way he's dealing with this, even publicly, is in line with the thoughtful and fair minded person he is. take him at his word that he's very hurt and angry. support him, don't blame him.
31
I've known several straight guys who have been bashed on the Hill by morons who assume that any guy walking around the Hill at 2am HAS to be gay...and in every case that I personally know of, the attackers were WHITE, suburban type assholes.
32
The Q-Patrol was awesome. They really helped to break down the stereotype that gay=good fashion sense.
33
It's MORE than time to speak up and take back the Hill...
When crime rates increased recently in the University District, Mayor Not-worth-a-Nickels vowed to step up police patrols, etc...
Last year's rise in gay-related hate crimes brought nothing more than a grass-roots effort which printed posters that were displayed in shop windows, urging queers to walk in groups; you know - 'safety in numbers' and all that...
I've been here now 15 years, and only in the past 2-3 have I seen things getting really bad on Capitol Hill.
I would think nothing of walking around before/after/during a show, in full drag to any bar - gay or straight.
Never harassed, never an unkind word.
(Anyone remember seeing a 7'2" drag queen in full outer-space gear w/a ginormous helmet at Linda's?)
Gay Pride is not just something that appears in June - we have to live it all year long. It starts with taking pride in our neighborhoods, in each other, and of course, ourselves.
If you or anyone you know experiences ANYTHING that you consider threatening - CALL THE POLICE - 911. Don't wait to get hit. Even threatening speach should be reported.
The police staff their shifts (and allocate their budgets) based on the number of incidents reported and responded to - make yourself heard.
There is also a Commission For Sexual Minorities (that's us, boys and girls) in Seattle; let them know what's going on!
And for goodness' sake - be safe! Be alert! Be Alive!
When crime rates increased recently in the University District, Mayor Not-worth-a-Nickels vowed to step up police patrols, etc...
Last year's rise in gay-related hate crimes brought nothing more than a grass-roots effort which printed posters that were displayed in shop windows, urging queers to walk in groups; you know - 'safety in numbers' and all that...
I've been here now 15 years, and only in the past 2-3 have I seen things getting really bad on Capitol Hill.
I would think nothing of walking around before/after/during a show, in full drag to any bar - gay or straight.
Never harassed, never an unkind word.
(Anyone remember seeing a 7'2" drag queen in full outer-space gear w/a ginormous helmet at Linda's?)
Gay Pride is not just something that appears in June - we have to live it all year long. It starts with taking pride in our neighborhoods, in each other, and of course, ourselves.
If you or anyone you know experiences ANYTHING that you consider threatening - CALL THE POLICE - 911. Don't wait to get hit. Even threatening speach should be reported.
The police staff their shifts (and allocate their budgets) based on the number of incidents reported and responded to - make yourself heard.
There is also a Commission For Sexual Minorities (that's us, boys and girls) in Seattle; let them know what's going on!
And for goodness' sake - be safe! Be alert! Be Alive!
34
@20: Gay meccas (or, as I'd prefer "ghettos") are disappearing across the country -- the Castro and Chelsea are both full of baby carriages pushed by heterosexual couples. I think the loss of Capitol Hill's gayness is part of a national trend and isn't behind this, or at the very least isn't the only thing behind this.
One thing that makes Seattle different from NYC or S.F. (I've never been to Chicago) is that the streets are EMPTY after 12AM most nights -- I stumbled home from the Bus Stop after closing last Thursday and I didn't see a soul the whole way home. It's a lot easier to attack someone when there's no witnesses and I think this is part of the problem here.
One thing that makes Seattle different from NYC or S.F. (I've never been to Chicago) is that the streets are EMPTY after 12AM most nights -- I stumbled home from the Bus Stop after closing last Thursday and I didn't see a soul the whole way home. It's a lot easier to attack someone when there's no witnesses and I think this is part of the problem here.
35
The guy had to be involved in something else to get beaten like that and now he's seeking to make something else out of it to advance his special rights agenda.
Care to show us the "gay agenda" that so many people talk about? Please post it or STFU and crawl back under the stone you came from. If gays deserve no protection, then neither do you.
Care to show us the "gay agenda" that so many people talk about? Please post it or STFU and crawl back under the stone you came from. If gays deserve no protection, then neither do you.
36
I'll ask again. Why are we only now hearing about this vigil that's planned, Sloggerazzi? You trumpeted the hell out of the FIRST Marriage Equality March (and a few peeps about the second). What gives?
37
If he was actually in the CD he'd be lucky that he wasn't shot and killed.
This indecent clearly indicates that Seattle U is vastly safer than it's fellow neighborhood 13 blocks to the east.
This indecent clearly indicates that Seattle U is vastly safer than it's fellow neighborhood 13 blocks to the east.
38
One of the major problems of the Stranger is how much it bitches about all the negative shit going on instead of doing something about it. How about this - if Q Patrol starts back up, I'll volunteer.
39
for what its, worth, I am a straight dude who is appalled by this. Were I in the area and hearing the exchange, I would jump to his aid. Apologies for straight people on this one. Assholes. Hopefully the perps get beat in jail.
40
@34 - that's interesting about Seattle's streets being deserted at night. You're right -- the streets of Boystown in Chicago are busy until 2 or 3 am, at least.
I always wondered why there wasn't more trouble when I lived there, because just a few blocks away from Halsted is Wrigley Field, and there are an awful lot of drunk suburban dudes and frat boys going to bars on Clark there....
I always wondered why there wasn't more trouble when I lived there, because just a few blocks away from Halsted is Wrigley Field, and there are an awful lot of drunk suburban dudes and frat boys going to bars on Clark there....
41
@28
Gay bashing happens less in Chicago because gay men are butchier there. Some of the boys in Boystown are not to be fucked with.
Seattle, on the other hand, is full of nellies.
Gay bashing happens less in Chicago because gay men are butchier there. Some of the boys in Boystown are not to be fucked with.
Seattle, on the other hand, is full of nellies.
42
Despite some of the civilized, sane & compassionate comments posted on this subject concerning a vicious crime perpetrated upon a fellow citizen, I just have to say in perplexed awe that those commenters who insist upon blaming the victim, that "he had to be involved in something", or it's how "nellie" the entire gay population of Seattle is, or that "his special rights agenda" really underlies the reason for all this bother about nothing, well, it just proves that PEOPLE SUCK (and not in a good way - more like insensate cattle chawin' on their vomitous cud!) and that seems evidently to apply to the whole spectrum of sexual orientations represented here
43
@34
"Gay meccas (or, as I'd prefer "ghettos") are disappearing across the country -- the Castro and Chelsea are both full of baby carriages pushed by heterosexual couples."
Indeed. Imagine what Seattle would do if gays bashed, threatened, or verbally insulted the straight people walking their babies all the time? So many people who have never heard the word "no" (we don't like you your baby is only cute to you, etc.) in their life would have their entitlement up in a bunch more than ever!
"One thing that makes Seattle different from NYC or S.F. (I've never been to Chicago) is that the streets are EMPTY after 12AM most nights -- I stumbled home from the Bus Stop after closing last Thursday and I didn't see a soul the whole way home. It's a lot easier to attack someone when there's no witnesses and I think this is part of the problem here."
The streets have been empty lately because of gentrification (anywhere cool is now a condo), happy/successful gays moving out to the burbs or out of state, and the economy. The people who live on Cap. Hill are struggling. I know, I am one of them. Working and attending college full time leaves very little time to hang out with friends, especially in a bar, and no time to volunteer to help the community. I used to be very active in the community and volunteered for about 7 years of my life. Now I need to think about my own basic needs: housing and food. Yes, it IS a problem.
"Gay meccas (or, as I'd prefer "ghettos") are disappearing across the country -- the Castro and Chelsea are both full of baby carriages pushed by heterosexual couples."
Indeed. Imagine what Seattle would do if gays bashed, threatened, or verbally insulted the straight people walking their babies all the time? So many people who have never heard the word "no" (we don't like you your baby is only cute to you, etc.) in their life would have their entitlement up in a bunch more than ever!
"One thing that makes Seattle different from NYC or S.F. (I've never been to Chicago) is that the streets are EMPTY after 12AM most nights -- I stumbled home from the Bus Stop after closing last Thursday and I didn't see a soul the whole way home. It's a lot easier to attack someone when there's no witnesses and I think this is part of the problem here."
The streets have been empty lately because of gentrification (anywhere cool is now a condo), happy/successful gays moving out to the burbs or out of state, and the economy. The people who live on Cap. Hill are struggling. I know, I am one of them. Working and attending college full time leaves very little time to hang out with friends, especially in a bar, and no time to volunteer to help the community. I used to be very active in the community and volunteered for about 7 years of my life. Now I need to think about my own basic needs: housing and food. Yes, it IS a problem.
44
In somewhat "modern times," ever since the very sad unwinding history of Germany's Weimar Republic, it has been so painfully proved time & time again, that economic crises make all minorities' lives ripe for scape-goating. With a national public educational "system" in utter disarray, we Americans will pay the price, so often exacted upon our European predecessors, by an ill-educated populace that ignorantly but proudly participates in a disfunctioning democracy. Rome struggled with the battle between benevolent dictators serially named Caesar & the rule of its acknowledged citizenry. Have you ever seen the inspired futuristic movie entitled "Brazil?" it could indeed happen here & now. We gay canaries-in-the-mine only foreshadow what anarchy may prevail one day in our midst. In order to avert an historic demise, all of us & our non-gay friends, absolutely must act to defuse these hate-filled agents of our demise. And no, dear readers, this is not an alarmist reaction to a newfound threat. This struggle is as old as humankind’s attempt to improve daily life’s civility, commonly referred to as “live & let live!”
45
I just saw Jerry interviewed on CNN headline news, What struck me were his comments of this nature..."What did I do to contribute to this? and How could I have avoided this?" Jerry....you did nothing wrong. Violence is never the victim's fault ever. Ever. I'm sorry this happened to you. I hope you are healing. I'm sorry that ignorant and violent people exist.
46
Your brothers at Seattle Quake Rugby admire and are praying for you Jerry. You are a brave man and a gift to the Gay community. Lord, help us to forgive the ignorant, hateful masses and empower us to tirelessly stand up for what is right and just. Jonathan.
47
Jerry is not involved in any "other activities". What the heck does that even mean, anways? And for those of you talking about Mamby Pamby men, have YOU ever gone and lived in Botswana for two years fighting the AIDS epidemic? Have you @1? No, you haven't. Guess what? Jerry fucking has. That takes more courage than those of you willing to attack his character from an anonymous slog will ever muster.
48
i love jerry. he is one of the coolest, nicest guys you will ever meet. he spent 2 years in rural botswana doing AIDS outreach and caring for desperately poor, forgotten people who were dying. very few people can say they have done something so heroic, yet he doesn't even think of it that way. that's just how he is in the world--helping people feel not so alone. he does similar work here in seattle. he is all about caring and creating harmony with and between people. he is straight up about his feelings and opinions. after such a traumatic event, i would be terrified to leave my house let alone talk about the event in a big way. he and other violent crime victims need our love and our support. you cannot say how you would handle yourself in a similar situation until it happens to you. in my humble opinion jerry is handling it with great courage and grace. i am sure his speaking out in the way he has has already helped people feel not so alone. sending you tons of love and healing energy jerry--you are amazing!
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