Omaha Marine punched after standing up for gay friends, spurring anti-hate-crime rally (UPDATED)

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Thu Oct 31, 2013, 05:33 PM - Edit history (2)

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Alissa Skelton

Gay rights activists in Omaha want people to know there's nothing scary about a man in a dress.

They will be hosting a rally Saturday to take a stand against hate crimes and homophobia.

The rally was organized in response to an assault that happened early Sunday in the Old Market.

Ryan Langenegger of Omaha, a 22-year-old straight man and Marine, said he was punched in the face after he peacefully defended his two gay friends.

FULL story and bloody photo at link. See reply #8 for update.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20131030/NEWS/131039778/1685#omaha-marine-punched-after-standing-up-for-gay-friends-spurring-anti-hate-crime-rally

[ReRe]

1. That's disgusting...

The two gay dudes and the 22 yr old Marine should have jumped their butts and made them think before they did this to anyone else in the future. But, I'm sure they did the right thing for them, though. Looks like it has raised a proper stink and maybe something meaningful can come from it. I just don't think I could compose myself if someone chipped two of my teeth. A little blood isn't bad, but damnit, teeth are structural. Chipped teeth are no picnic.
Thanks for the OP...

[LuvNewcastle]

3. That's how I feel about the chipped teeth.

That would have made me mad as hell. I don't think I would have been able to restrain myself like that man did. He's one hell of a man!

[Ian_rd]

5. I think passive resistance was def. good in this case

If these three guys had beaten up the homophobic assholes, then the media story would be more about a fight between them instead of an attack by one on the other. Fox News and Drudge et al would have a plausible "drag queens attack poor straight men because they hate straight people" story.

And there's something to be said for taking a hit and having the sac to just stand there.

[sir pball]

7. I'm going to disagree here

Passive resistance is a good thing against institutional violence, e.g. Birmingham fire hoses and dogs; it's a Gandhi-esque martyrdom against State oppression. Random private thugs on the street is a different story and fuck all what Faux News is going to spin it as (specially if there's video of the incident, like there always is these days) - having a Marine go full-MCT on their asses would not only be immensely satisfying but also a valuable and richly earned life lesson for these knuckledraggers.

As is, I seriously suspect and fear they've just been empowered - "ha ha we can smack these twinks around and they aren't even Man Enough to fight back!" Even if they are eventually arrested and charged with a hate crime, it's just going to make them angry at the "gay-lovin' gubmint"...sometimes you just gotta fight fire with fire.

[LuvNewcastle]

2. Mr. Langenegger is a stand-up guy.

He should have made the Marine Corps proud that night.

[gopiscrap]

4. wish I could be there

[sulphurdunn]

6. It's OK to let some asshole

punch you in the face to make a moral point so long as you realize he just considers it weakness and that you have empowered him to do it again. If you beat him to a pulp, he'll get a different message, one he paid to learn and not you.

[Omaha Steve]

8. UPDATE: Attack on gay men's friend being investigated as a hate crime

http://www.omaha.com/article/20131030/NEWS/131039778/1685#attack-on-gay-men-s-friend-being-investigated-as-a-hate-crime

By Alissa Skelton

Update: Omaha Police said Thursday officers are investigating this incident as a hate crime.

Anyone with information about the crime is encouraged to anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 402-444-STOP.