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Gay News: A gay man has been beaten up in a homophobic attack in the historic Stonewall Inn.
By: Nigel Robinson

Stionewalll Inn

Gay-bashing at the birthplace of gay Pride

5 October 2010

 

The attack took place early Sunday morning (2 October) at the bar in New York’s WestVillage, which since the Stonewall Riots of 1969 has been regarded as the birthplace of the gay rights movement.

Benjamin Carver, 34, was attacked by Matthew Francis, 21, and Christopher Orlando in the bar’s restroom.

Francis was reported as standing next to Carver at the urinal when he asked him what kind of bar he was in. When he was told he was in a gay bar, he replied, “Get away from me f***ott – I don’t like gay people.  Don’t pee next to me.”

Francis then demanded money from Carver before he and Orlando started to punch him repeatedly in the face. Other patrons then tried to intervene, and the men then fled but were arrested shortly afterwards by the police.

The injured man was taken to hospital but was released later, when he wrote on his Facebook profile: “Got gay-bashed while peeing in the bathroom at the Stonewall Bar where the gay rights movement began. Ironic right?”

Stonewall general manager Shawn Curran told the New York Daily News: “People who come to this bar know it’s the cornerstone of the gay community. It’s not like we keep it a secret. It’s upsetting. It’s hurtful.”