Hate Crime Assault on Church Street

How many times have you heard “Oh Vermont is liberal, they support the LGBTQ community, nothing bad happens there” Well once again a member from our community was targeted and assaulted solely because of his sexual orientation- a hate crime. This was a serious assault which required 17 stitches to his face.

We need to publicize this hate crime.  Did you see this assault reported in The Burlington Free Press…..no?  Well write a letter to the editor. Get the word out, put the pressure on the news media to report these crimes. The public needs to know that this type of crime is happening in Burlington on Church Street.

Currently the Burlington Police Department is investigating the assault which took place shortly after 2:00 am on Wed. August 20^th outside the Half Lounge on Church Street.  They need help from the public to identify the suspect.

The suspect is described as a white male, 20-25 years of age, approximately 6 feet tall with shaggy, dark blond hair wearing a dark-colored hooded sweatshirt with a light-colored liner in the hood or a white t-shirt underneath, and dark shorts or jeans. 

Police are requesting that any persons who witnessed, or have information regarding this incident to call Officer Berti at 540-2279.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of crime please call us at SafeSpace- 863-0003.

Comments

[Carly]

This is a disasterous occurance. A HATE CRIME right on Church Street. I would appreciate some more information on this since I am regularly on that street when the bars close and feel fortunate that I wasn't a victim. If you say the assault was based solely on his sexual orientation, imagine if the attacker saw me? I'm sure that my gender identity would probably incite this person. How did he know of this person's sexual orientation?
I've seen fights over spilled drinks, jealousy, and many other foolish reasons. At closing time, all these people have usually had quite a bit to drink. I just want to make sure that it wasn't over something else.
To take down the whole state of Vermont as not being very liberal and open minded and isolating one instance on lower Church Street as proof of that, is a very serious accusation and I see no author's name to ask for the info that I need.
Before I go out and tell my friends to stay away, I think I might need some more information, please. I'll be trying to coax my friends back out of the closet now.

Carly

[Lisa]

It appears that Vermont is more interested in keeping its 'liberal' status than actually reporting possible hate crimes. It appears that even Carl would rather have this incident swept under the rug as a case of alcohol gone wrong than to accept that Vermont is turning a blind eye to protect a puffed up image.
Just another T-GIRL

[Danny]

Thanks for your post Carly and Lisa. This is Danny that was a victim of the assault on Church Street. Carly you were talking about drunk people I only had one drink that night. On top of that the guy was making fun of me while I was inside of the bar. I am a openly gay male that keeps to myself. I was having fun with my girls at the bar dancing and singing. This guy made it a point to pick on me for being gay inside the club and outside the club. He hit me for no reason. I did not hit on him I did not try to push my sexuality on him in anyway. So do you see this as a hate crime now.
Lisa I would love to see you write the Burlington News Paper. I think we do need to open Vermonters eyes in this matter.

[Lisa]

Hi Danny,

I am so sorry that you were victimized. We can never eliminate all prejudices but we must always try not to make excuses either. Perhaps now Carly can see that violence against our community isn't just a problem that every other state has. Vermont is very liberal and takes a lot of pride in its progress. Danny, it is sad that you may be a victim of an equally serious crime and that is ignoring reality. The haters are still amongst us, no matter how much the 'activist' declare that they have swept our state clean.

Danny, keep safe and proud, and hopefully the rest of us can stop 'peaking' with eyes that were once wide open.

Lets all try to write letters to the press. There is no reason to take progress for granted. Stay strong Danny!

Lisa