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).
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