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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 17, 2011)
JS*L_Ü JUNE 17, 2011 Since May 2010, the incidence and increased awareness of attacks against members of the LGBTQ_ community have sparked a height ened focus on and organizing around safety. As the older incidents (the 2010 Memorial Day weekend attack) fade in the community’s memory, only to he replaced hy more recent acts of violence (the May 2011 assault near the Hawthorne Bridge), the final outcomes of these cases often receive far less attention than the initial acts. In the most recent reported assault— in which a group of men started beating Brad Forkner and Chris Rosevear on May 22 after they walked across the Hawthorne Bridge holding hands— police have not yet identified any suspects. Forkner said the three men were in their twenties, about 5 -foot-ll or 6-foot tall and medium-to-large build, wearing hooded sweat shirts— blue, white/cream and possibly brown. Witnesses on the scene declined to help during the assault or share any information with Port land Police when they arrived. “My wish to witnesses is for them to stick around long enough to speak to police. I also ap preciate it when they call on behalf of others who are being harassed or assaulted and may not be able to call for help themselves,” said Bias Crimes Detective Kevin Warren. Police are also without witnesses to the assault against Tim McCubbin on Halloween night 2010 near SE 16th and Brooklyn, but they do have a sketch of the suspect provided by the vic- • com m unity’ Bias Crimes Recap Two resolved cases and too few witnesses in year’s anti-gay assaults BY ERIN ROOK tim. The assailant is described as 6-foot-l-inch tall, muscular, with freckles and hlond hair. McCubbin told Just Out he believed his purple bike might have prompted the attack so brutal it required surgery to repair his left eye socket—and to remove a third of his colon to treat the diverticulitis caused when the suspect allegedly stomped on his groin. “[McCubhin] is still recovering physically and financially from extensive internal injuries,” said Warren. “It was another apparent random attack, as the victim did not recognize the suspect.” In an assault that occurred outside Silverado on June 10 of last year, the suspect is also still at large. Three gay men were attacked when they spoke out against men they saw harassing women on the sidewalk, police reported. Al though a witness was present when police ar rived, he wouldn’t cooperate. “Coincidentally, this person was an associate of the suspect, but not a co-conspirator, so offi cers could not compel him to provide any in formation about his identity,” W irren said. “The victims told police that the witness tried to pre- Tim McCubbin’s assailant is described as 6-foot-1-inch tall, muscular, with freckles and blond hair. WWW.JUSTOUT.COM attack. According to Detective Warren, that in cident was not a bias crime, but the perpetrators were identified, arrested and brought to justice. Police also successfully identified the suspects in the case that sparked QPatrol and other com munity safety efforts— the Memorial Day week end attack on a group of gay men in drag on their way home from a Red Cap dance night. “I was able to identify and interview both suspects,” Warren said. However, “after getting their side it was determined by the D. A.’s office that the case would be difficult to prose cute. This was consistent with the wishes of the victims as well.” W hile the police continue to investigate any leads in the unresolved cases, Warren encour ages people to take advantage of Q_ Patrol’s presence and follow basic safety protocols. “My advise to the LGBT community is the same as it would be for anyone: If you’re out after dark, stay in well lit areas as much as pos sible, avoid engaging people if being verbally insulted to avoid a potentially physical assault, know when the Q_Patrol is out and use them as a resource, ask for an escort from a club if far from your car, and remember that there is safety in numbers,” Warren said. “And, of course, call 911 if you are being threatened.” JUS vent the suspect from attacking them, but was not cooperative with police.” Later that day, a gay man reported that he was Anyone with information about the above crimes abducted and assaulted near the 1100 block of can call Crime Stoppers at 503-823-HELP SW 11th by acquaintances who said he owed (4357) or text “823HELP"plus your tip and send them money and used anti-gay slurs during the it to CRIM ES (274697). i------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROTI !CT YOU R PARTN ER! 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