05/01/2007
Minnesota Student Paul Marquardt Assaulted in Anti-Gay Attack
Paul Marquardt, a senior at Minnesota State University Moorhead, says he was assaulted by four men last Thursday evening in a homophobic attack that left him severely injured and out cold.
According to The Forum, "Marquardt suffered a separated shoulder, bruised ribs, a fractured wrist and was knocked unconscious for a few minutes. He may also have to have his spleen removed, he said. He said he did not realize what had happened until he was sitting in class Friday and his memory came back. 'Like a ton of bricks, it was all of a sudden just like, 'Oh my god, I remember everything,'' he said. Marquardt said while he is traumatized by what happened to him because of his sexual orientation, he is more upset that he was unconscious for about three minutes and no one noticed. 'This could have happened to anybody,' he said."
Police reportedly have no suspects and Marquardt cannot recall what the men look like.
According to Minnesota blog Eleventh Avenue South, Marquardt was told by his doctor that "[if he had] been smaller and less well built, the assault could have been fatal." Marquardt also told WDAY news, "Me being gay and it being a hate crime is also awful, but it could have happened to a girl or another guy or a couple. It could have happened to anyone."
Moorhead is located near the border of Minnesota and North Dakota. According to LGBT group the Ten Percent Society of MSUM and North Dakota State University, it's the first anti-gay assault in the area in recent memory. Police are investigating the incident as a hate crime.
We wish Paul well in his recovery.
Assault Shocks Fargo-Moorhead LGBT Community [eleventh avenue south]
Possible hate crime incites students [the forum]
Posted 8:45 AM EST by Andy in Crime, Gay Slurs, Minnesota, News | Permalink
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a doctor commenting on how "well built" a college student is? Is everyone gay?
Posted by: dean | May 1, 2007 9:01:01 AM
This is going to sound harsh and cynical, but as someone who works with head trauma patients almost daily I'm very suspicious about this story. Post-concussive memory loss is not 'repressive,' the memories are literally gone. Recovered memories like this are quite often total bullshit - especially when they are selective ("I remember being beat up by four men, but I can't remember what they look like").
While I hope he's being honest, I'm concerned that these remembered details may all be some very bizarre fabrication (even though the injuries are real). Of course he deserves the benefit of the doubt and the full dedication of the justice department, but some judicious skepticism as well might not be misplaced. All possible angles should be investigated, including the ones that are unflattering to the victim.
Posted by: Zlexar | May 1, 2007 9:22:32 AM
Hopefully, he'll recover soon. And you'd think you're safe in a university campus, huh?
Posted by: xavier | May 1, 2007 9:29:16 AM
is it just me or is he really hot? poor bloke.
Posted by: jperth | May 1, 2007 10:14:45 AM
no, jperth, its not you. he's YUMMY! tall and well built eh? Does he have a manhunt profile I can refer too?
:-)
Posted by: rich | May 1, 2007 11:04:08 AM
I can't wait for some built guy like himself to turn around and beat the shit out of their attacker. I don't know if we are just hearing about more beatings or are there really more beatings. This hate shit is getting bad, old and untolerable.
Posted by: Pugzz | May 1, 2007 11:11:50 AM
And of course, jperth and rich, this only matters because he's hot. Ugly homos are fair game, right?
Posted by: Scott | May 1, 2007 11:26:12 AM
I'm confused. He "suffered a separated shoulder, bruised ribs, and a fractured wrist" but went to class the next day? WTF? Would that have not been hurting like hell or am I just a wuss?
Posted by: Kevin | May 1, 2007 12:47:38 PM
Kevin - same thought here. He was in class with severe injuries? What's wrong with this picture ...
Scott, "ugly" (whatever that means) homos matter too! But, you have to admit he's photogenic...
Seriously, I'm just interested that in the deep midwest, this guy and others are out!
Posted by: dave | May 1, 2007 2:09:44 PM
hes actuallyfucking gorgeous to bad hes not at east bi How big were te other four guy s this one is big i dont get it . HOW dud htey know he was gay they must of konw him
Posted by: sasha | May 1, 2007 4:21:25 PM
Appears to not have been a hate-motivated crime. Excerpt from a posting on queer Minnesota blog Eleventh Avenue South:
"Marquardt told investigators that he was not confronted, nor did he hear any anti-gay comments, [Deputy Police Chief Bob] Larson said. Larson said Marquardt maintains he was pushed down and injured by persons unknown. 'He told us that the story had gotten away from him,' Larson said."
Link to the whole thing:
http://www.eleventh-avenue-south.com/archives/001413.html
Posted by: Chris | May 2, 2007 10:04:52 AM