Man injured in assault at gay club

[JackBeck]

by John Wright
The Dallas Voice
Sunday Mar 2, 2008

A local gay man claims he was the victim of a hate crime at Station 4 on Friday, Feb. 22.

Sid Gonzales, 43, said he suffered two broken bones in his wrist, a puncture wound to his hand and multiple bruises on his backside when two men assaulted him at about 11 p.m.

(snip)

He said he tried to be friendly and make small talk with the trio. But he said he was not trying to hit on the men, whom he described as straight-looking, well-dressed and college-aged.

(snip)

"I think it’s a shame that regular customers like me can’t feel comfortable in a gay bar any more," Gonzales said in the e-mail. "I won’t be returning to Station 4 for a while."

http://www.edgedallas.com/index.php?ch=news&sc=local&sc2=news&sc3=&id=71024

Another DUer recently posted about a confrontation he had...at fucking Stonewall of all places. So now we face threats of violence and actually acts of violence within the walls of a place we consider a "safe space". Great!

On top of this, Mr. Gonzales feels the need to point out that he wasn't even hitting on the guys. But so what if he was? And if this were a straight bar? Doesn't give them the right to beat the snot of the guy.

When is this crap going to stop?

[xchrom]

1. well baiting in gay bars is a time honoured practise

among bashers.

the diff is that we have some brave souls like mr gonzales who actually report the crime.

back in the day -- it never was -- and most don't go reported today.

never the less -- it's infuriating. -- because nothing mr gonzales could have done would have avoided the situation -- that's what those Morans were there for.

[JackBeck]

3. It's been my observation

that there has been a marked increase of these incidents as of late.

And it chills me to the bone.

I've never felt particularly safe in NYC, and can't imagine what it must be like for those in our community in other pockets of this country.

[Truth2Tell]

2. As a straight male

I find it flattering to be hit on by gay guys... a simple "not interested" has always worked fine. In my experience gay men are much less pushy than many straight men hitting on women. (Not that this guy was hitting on anyone, just sayin'.) It sounds to me like these guys walked in the door with violent intent. nd where were the bouncers?

[JackBeck]

4. Apparently, the bouncers

were cleaning up other messes around the club created by this crew.

[Fleshdancer]

5. I can't begin to understand

It's one thing to be a bigoted asshole (unfortunately), but to be a bigoted asshole who goes to clubs knowing that the people the asshole hates/fears will be there is insane. For the purpose of causing hate crimes. Sad and sick.

I agree with the OP. It doesn't matter whether Gonzales was flirting or not. It breaks my heart that he feels the need to clarify that he wasn't flirting. :(

[JackBeck]

6. It's predatory and shakes an entire community.

Which is why the LGBT community deserves to be added to the already existing hate crimes laws.

[Fleshdancer]

7. I agree 100%

My fear is what will happen soon if this isn't taken seriously right now.