Mass Anti-Gay Hate Crime at Flagstaff Pride

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2008-06-23 08:27pm

No link as this was a Press Release in my email

Equality Arizona responds to anti-gay attack in Flagstaff

Phoenix, Ariz. – Equality Arizona responded today to an apparent bias-motivated attack on several lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people early Sunday morning. The incident involved staff and volunteers of Equality Arizona, the statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.

At least two individuals were treated for injuries at a local hospital after a group of men shouting anti-gay slurs began assaulting several people who had gathered at a street corner, where they were waiting for cabs following a celebration during the weekend pride festivities. One of the injured, Michel Brown, was with Equality Arizona Public Affairs Director Sam Holdren, Public Affairs Intern Steven Tran and Generation Equality member David Encizo. Tran and Encizo were in the crowd when the attacks began, but were not physically injured. Holdren was steps away, returning to the scene to find Brown lying unconscious and bleeding.

The incident has already begun to have an impact on the local community, who hours earlier had been at the Pride in the Pines festival. At the festival, newly-elected Flagstaff Mayor Sara Presler-Hoefle had issued a proclamation, declaring that day Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Day in the city of Flagstaff calling "upon all city residents, employees and volunteers to participate in the spirit and activities of this day."

Equality Arizona Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones issued the following statement today:

"The news of this attack is deeply disturbing. On a day when all of Flagstaff should have been celebrating and embracing diversity, this brutal attack has reminded us all that there is still much work to be done to prevent anti-gay bias from escalating into violence.

"We are grateful for the immediate and efficient response of the Flagstaff Police Department and emergency responders. Along with the hospital staff, these professionals demonstrated great respect for the victims during this traumatic time.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand with them and the Flagstaff community in calling for justice in this case. Equality Arizona will continue to partner with city leaders to create an environment where everyone who visits, lives or works in Flagstaff is safe and free from bias and discrimination, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression."

###

Sam Holdren, David Encizo, and Steven Tran are three of my fraternity brothers, Holdren is our National President. Steven Tran is, oddly enough transgendered. Four of the attackers have been caught.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2008-06-23 08:28pm

Could someone fix the title. I dont know how the Equality Arizona got in there and truncated

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2008-06-23 08:31pm

Bit'O' Followup

Linkus Maximus

Four arrested in attack after Flagstaff Pride
published Monday, June 23, 2008
Four men have been arrested in connection with an apparent anti-gay attack early Sunday in Flagstaff, Ariz., that sent two victims to the hospital, the Arizona Republic reported.

The victims were in a crowd waiting for cabs on a street corner after the weekend's Pride in the Pines celebrations when a group of men shouting anti-gay slurs attacked about 2:45 a.m.

The most severely injured man, Michael Brown, was knocked unconscious when a punch from an attacker sent him to the pavement, said Sam Holdren, public affairs director of Equality Arizona and Brown's good friend. Holdren said he did not witness the attack, but was close by. Brown, who sustained a deep facial cut, was hospitalized overnight for observation and released Monday morning, Holdren told Gay.com.

Other Equality Arizona staff and volunteers saw the attack and helped police identify suspects, who had emerged from a nearby restaurant, Holdren said. Several other Pride-goers were punched and shoved, he said.

Police found and arrested four men in the area on charges including assault, aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. They also could be charged with hate crimes, police told the Republic. The suspects are Travis Reiner, 24, of Flagstaff; Christopher Rose, 26, of Englewood, Colo.; Michael Van Roteyn, 24, of Flagstaff; and Mark Greinke, 25, of Sun City, the Republic reported.

Barbara McCullough-Jones, Equality Arizona's executive director, issued the following statement Monday:

"The news of this attack is deeply disturbing. On a day when all of Flagstaff should have been celebrating and embracing diversity, this brutal attack has reminded us all that there is still much work to be done to prevent anti-gay bias from escalating into violence." (The Advocate)

Crossroads Inc. · Post by **Crossroads Inc.** » 2008-06-23 09:03pm

I wnt to NAU in Flagstaff fpor 2 years, It was a surprisingly laid back place, both of the Pride Festivals Iwent to while I was there were largely without incident.. Im curious if these people are local.

Dark Hellion · Post by **Dark Hellion** » 2008-06-23 11:53pm

The one thing I have never gotten is that by their own macho bullshit, gays are supposed to be weak and womanly. What kind of macho man feels pride in beating up someone weak and womanly? The disconnect has always been plainly obvious to me, but to them it clearly isn't. Since logic is not the strong suit of most of those who would commit such crimes, could we combat it by making fun of them? Taunting that they are "a bunch of pussies who couldn't beat up a 'real man'!" kinda bullshit? Probably not the best idea though, but it would be funny to fight them at their own game and humiliate them with it, because they should be humiliated.

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2008-06-24 02:35am

Two words: Pink Pistols
'Armed Gays Don't Get Bashed'.

Indeed.

Oni Koneko Damien · Post by **Oni Koneko Damien** » 2008-06-24 02:42am

Dark Hellion wrote:The one thing I have never gotten is that by their own macho bullshit, gays are supposed to be weak and womanly. What kind of macho man feels pride in beating up someone weak and womanly? The disconnect has always been plainly obvious to me, but to them it clearly isn't. Since logic is not the strong suit of most of those who would commit such crimes, could we combat it by making fun of them? Taunting that they are "a bunch of pussies who couldn't beat up a 'real man'!" kinda bullshit? Probably not the best idea though, but it would be funny to fight them at their own game and humiliate them with it, because they should be humiliated.

And to throw my own highly unrealistic idea into the pot: Why don't we just strand them in the gay section of any decently sized cities, so that a pack of bears and muscleboys can show them that not all gays are 'weak and womanly'?

Raw Shark · Post by **Raw Shark** » 2008-06-24 06:40am

Crossroads Inc. wrote:Im curious if these people are local.

The 2nd Goddamn Article wrote:The suspects are Travis Reiner, 24, of Flagstaff; Christopher Rose, 26, of Englewood, Colo.; Michael Van Roteyn, 24, of Flagstaff; and Mark Greinke, 25, of Sun City, the Republic reported.

On Topic: Thank you, Mr. Rose, for taking your douchebaggery away from the vicinity of Denver for the weekend, where Pride Fest was cool and mellow and profitable.

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2008-06-24 07:40am

Dark Hellion wrote:The one thing I have never gotten is that by their own macho bullshit, gays are supposed to be weak and womanly. What kind of macho man feels pride in beating up someone weak and womanly? The disconnect has always been plainly obvious to me, but to them it clearly isn't. Since logic is not the strong suit of most of those who would commit such crimes, could we combat it by making fun of them? Taunting that they are "a bunch of pussies who couldn't beat up a 'real man'!" kinda bullshit? Probably not the best idea though, but it would be funny to fight them at their own game and humiliate them with it, because they should be humiliated.

I'm more for pointing guns at them and shooting them in the balls when they start shit. They like beating up gays because they view them as easy and "righteous" targets because they're bullies, basically. A submissive housebound woman would not be attacked, but a feminist probably would.

Schuyler Colfax · Post by **Schuyler Colfax** » 2008-06-24 08:56am

The logic these people use, don't make any sense whatsoever. I can understand someone just being homophobic, that's there who they are but, to resort to this? Yeah, it's God's will that we assault gays. We have a progress that needs to be made when it comes to gay acceptance.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2008-06-24 12:21pm

Oni Koneko Damien wrote:
Dark Hellion wrote:The one thing I have never gotten is that by their own macho bullshit, gays are supposed to be weak and womanly. What kind of macho man feels pride in beating up someone weak and womanly? The disconnect has always been plainly obvious to me, but to them it clearly isn't. Since logic is not the strong suit of most of those who would commit such crimes, could we combat it by making fun of them? Taunting that they are "a bunch of pussies who couldn't beat up a 'real man'!" kinda bullshit? Probably not the best idea though, but it would be funny to fight them at their own game and humiliate them with it, because they should be humiliated.
And to throw my own highly unrealistic idea into the pot: Why don't we just strand them in the gay section of any decently sized cities, so that a pack of bears and muscleboys can show them that not all gays are 'weak and womanly'?

That kinda reminds me of the gay bar scene in Police Academy

Mr. Coffee · Post by **Mr. Coffee** » 2008-06-24 01:48pm

The Blue Oyster...

Einhander Sn0m4n · Post by **Einhander Sn0m4n** » 2008-06-24 02:08pm

Oni Koneko Damien wrote:
Dark Hellion wrote:The one thing I have never gotten is that by their own macho bullshit, gays are supposed to be weak and womanly. What kind of macho man feels pride in beating up someone weak and womanly? The disconnect has always been plainly obvious to me, but to them it clearly isn't. Since logic is not the strong suit of most of those who would commit such crimes, could we combat it by making fun of them? Taunting that they are "a bunch of pussies who couldn't beat up a 'real man'!" kinda bullshit? Probably not the best idea though, but it would be funny to fight them at their own game and humiliate them with it, because they should be humiliated.
And to throw my own highly unrealistic idea into the pot: Why don't we just strand them in the gay section of any decently sized cities, so that a pack of bears and muscleboys can show them that not all gays are 'weak and womanly'?

Southern Decadence FOR GREAT JUSTICE!

Kanastrous · Post by **Kanastrous** » 2008-06-24 02:19pm

Morgan Spurlock did an episode on his old Fox show, wherein a straight-Christian-flag-and-apple-pie type lived in a gay neighborhood with gay roommates for a month or so.

As I recall, he didn't enjoy the experience.

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2008-06-24 05:15pm

Schuyler Colfax wrote:The logic these people use, don't make any sense whatsoever. I can understand someone just being homophobic, that's there who they are but, to resort to this? Yeah, it's God's will that we assault gays. We have a progress that needs to be made when it comes to gay acceptance.

Would you care to clarify the part I bolded please?

Rye · Post by **Rye** » 2008-06-24 05:30pm

What's difficult to understand about understanding homophobia? Homosexuality's different and gross if you're not used to it. Homophobia's the norm due to the ubiquity of western Christian supremacy, especially in attitudes towards sex until relatively recently.

Schuyler Colfax · Post by **Schuyler Colfax** » 2008-06-24 05:34pm

Lord Pounder wrote:
Schuyler Colfax wrote:The logic these people use, don't make any sense whatsoever. I can understand someone just being homophobic, that's there who they are but, to resort to this? Yeah, it's God's will that we assault gays. We have a progress that needs to be made when it comes to gay acceptance.
Would you care to clarify the part I bolded please?

I guess that could have been worded a little better. What I meant was, I can understand if you're simply uncomfortable with gay people but, resorting to attacking them and protesting their weddings is going way too far.

Lord Pounder · Post by **Lord Pounder** » 2008-06-24 05:49pm

Schuyler Colfax wrote:
Lord Pounder wrote:
Schuyler Colfax wrote:The logic these people use, don't make any sense whatsoever. I can understand someone just being homophobic, that's there who they are but, to resort to this? Yeah, it's God's will that we assault gays. We have a progress that needs to be made when it comes to gay acceptance.
Would you care to clarify the part I bolded please?
I guess that could have been worded a little better. What I meant was, I can understand if you're simply uncomfortable with gay people but, resorting to attacking them and protesting their weddings is going way too far.

You still could be wording it a little better, why do you understand people being uncomfortable with gay people? What is there to be uncomfortable about? More to the point do you realise that understanding is pretty close to acceptance.

Hi meet Jim, Jim fucks other guys. What is the problem with this? half the reason assholes are homophobic is down to pure jealousy. if those wankers would go to a club and be guaranteed a blowjob or whatever they wanted they'd never be away from the place.

Schuyler Colfax · Post by **Schuyler Colfax** » 2008-06-24 06:01pm

Lord Pounder wrote:
Schuyler Colfax wrote:
Lord Pounder wrote: Would you care to clarify the part I bolded please?
I guess that could have been worded a little better. What I meant was, I can understand if you're simply uncomfortable with gay people but, resorting to attacking them and protesting their weddings is going way too far.
You still could be wording it a little better, why do you understand people being uncomfortable with gay people? What is there to be uncomfortable about? More to the point do you realise that understanding is pretty close to acceptance.

Hi meet Jim, Jim fucks other guys. What is the problem with this? half the reason assholes are homophobic is down to pure jealousy. if those wankers would go to a club and be guaranteed a blowjob or whatever they wanted they'd never be away from the place.

You're better off asking that to homophobic person.

Post by **LadyTevar** » 2008-06-24 06:09pm

The most homophobic guy I knew was also the most Metro guy I knew. We're still thinking he was protesting too much whenever he was on one of his rants. So there's one reason: because they're hiding in their closets and hate anyone who has come out.

Second is cultural. Rednecks especially don't seem to like gays, as it 'just ain't right' by all the cultural norms they'd been raised under.

And lastly, some people just can't stand it when someone else is happy.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2008-06-24 06:12pm

Lord Pounder wrote:
Schuyler Colfax wrote:
Lord Pounder wrote: Would you care to clarify the part I bolded please?
I guess that could have been worded a little better. What I meant was, I can understand if you're simply uncomfortable with gay people but, resorting to attacking them and protesting their weddings is going way too far.
You still could be wording it a little better, why do you understand people being uncomfortable with gay people? What is there to be uncomfortable about? More to the point do you realise that understanding is pretty close to acceptance.

Hi meet Jim, Jim fucks other guys. What is the problem with this? half the reason assholes are homophobic is down to pure jealousy. if those wankers would go to a club and be guaranteed a blowjob or whatever they wanted they'd never be away from the place.

I have another hypothesis in need of empirical tests...

One potential reason is that bisexuality is an alternative reproductive strategy that is very very effective in low frequencies as nipping into the reproductive success of heterosexual males.

Male Bisexuals begin sexual activity earlier and have more partners, and are better at hiding indiscretions. This makes them highly competitive when young. Unfortunately for them, due to having more partners they are at a higher disease risk. This combined with other factors, leads to a form of frequency dependent selection where there is an optimum frequency of bisexuals within the population. Homophobia could have evolved (either biologically or culturally) as a way to depress that optimum frequency on the part of heterosexual males.

The gays just get caught in the crossfire. It is hard to spot a bisexual, targeting anyone who has sex with men is easier.... costs less

Schuyler Colfax · Post by **Schuyler Colfax** » 2008-06-24 06:17pm

LadyTevar wrote: Second is cultural. Rednecks especially don't seem to like gays, as it 'just ain't right' by all the cultural norms they'd been raised under.

Yet fucking your sister is.

Though a number of my friends make gay jokes, and use gay anti-slurs they all claimed not to be homophobic whenever I called them on it. So I don't think I know anyone that is homophobic for sure. Though it wouldn't surprise me if my cousin was, angriest 30 something year old ever. My dad's side of the family, WOW!

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2008-06-24 06:20pm

Schuyler Colfax wrote:
LadyTevar wrote: Second is cultural. Rednecks especially don't seem to like gays, as it 'just ain't right' by all the cultural norms they'd been raised under.

Yet fucking your sister is.

Though a number of my friends make gay jokes, and use gay anti-slurs they all claimed not to be homophobic whenever I called them on it. So I don't think I know anyone that is homophobic for sure. Though it wouldn't surprise me if my cousin was, angriest 30 something year old ever. My dad's side of the family, WOW!

If they make the jokes in a non-self-depreciating way, and use the slurs, they are indeed homophobes.

Schuyler Colfax · Post by **Schuyler Colfax** » 2008-06-24 06:34pm

Alyrium Denryle wrote:
Schuyler Colfax wrote:
LadyTevar wrote: Second is cultural. Rednecks especially don't seem to like gays, as it 'just ain't right' by all the cultural norms they'd been raised under.

Yet fucking your sister is.

Though a number of my friends make gay jokes, and use gay anti-slurs they all claimed not to be homophobic whenever I called them on it. So I don't think I know anyone that is homophobic for sure. Though it wouldn't surprise me if my cousin was, angriest 30 something year old ever. My dad's side of the family, WOW!
If they make the jokes in a non-self-depreciating way, and use the slurs, they are indeed homophobes.

I don't even argue on them with that, they have this "when I call you a fag I'm really calling you a douche" mentality, this usually happens when I am being a douche to them or kicking their ass in video games.

Post by **Alyrium Denryle** » 2008-06-24 06:47pm

Schuyler Colfax wrote:
Alyrium Denryle wrote:
Schuyler Colfax wrote: Yet fucking your sister is.

Though a number of my friends make gay jokes, and use gay anti-slurs they all claimed not to be homophobic whenever I called them on it. So I don't think I know anyone that is homophobic for sure. Though it wouldn't surprise me if my cousin was, angriest 30 something year old ever. My dad's side of the family, WOW!
If they make the jokes in a non-self-depreciating way, and use the slurs, they are indeed homophobes.
I don't even argue on them with that, they have this "when I call you a fag I'm really calling you a douche" mentality, this usually happens when I am being a douche to them or kicking their ass in video games.

Exactly. in their heads Gay=Douche.