09/11/2009
Gay Bashing Victim Jake Raynard Speaks Out Ahead of Vigil Tonight
Jake Raynard, who sustained 15 cheekbone fractures, and a broken jaw, eye socket, and upper palate, in a homophobic attack by a gang of up to eight men in Thunder Bay, Ontario on Saturday, is speaking out ahead of a planned vigil tonight in his honor.
Says Raynard in a YouTube video:
"It's overwhelming the amount of support that's coming in from everywhere. We've got emails coming in as far as Hong Kong, and Brooklyn, and all over the United States, and Australia, and the UK. They're coming from everywhere. And that's good. But what that says to me is there are a lot of voices globally that aren't being heard, and that need advocacy, and are starving for someone like myself to stand up and fight for these rights, and say 'no, this isn't right' and 'no, I'm not going to be quiet about this', and no I'm going to make a media stink about this until I need to stop, because the problem's not resolved."
Thank you, Jake.
The attack followed taunting by the gang over the Raynard's sexual orientation outside a bar.
A Facebook group of support for Raynard has attracted nearly 5,000 members. The vigil in his honor will be held at 6 pm tonight in Waverly Park in Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Watch, AFTER THE JUMP...
Posted 8:20 AM EST by Andy Towle in Crime, Gay Slurs, News | Permalink
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"and 'no, I'm not going to be quiet about this', and no I'm going to make a media stink about this until I need to stop, because the problem's not resolved."
^^^ GOOD FOR HIM!!!
Posted by: john | Sep 11, 2009 9:27:51 AM
Go Jake!
Posted by: Chris B | Sep 11, 2009 10:33:21 AM
I'm sick and tired of my gay brothers and sisters being abused. I want to fight back with more than words. I'm willing to go after these people with the same violence that they heap on us. I've unsuccessfully searched and searched the internet for such a group of us that is willing to take these matters to heart. Email me at robertpickett@earthlink.com if you know of any like minded brothers and sisters. The time for talk is over over over!
Posted by: Mike Pickett | Sep 12, 2009 9:33:29 AM
Mike Pickett, is the solution to violence really more violence? In the end you may get your revenge, but you might also get your ass kicked and then what? Will you call your beating a hate crime as well? Either way, in the end, you will lose.
Posted by: mike | Sep 21, 2009 8:12:37 AM
Looks like you've all been taken for a bunch of suckers...
http://www.tbnewswatch.com/news/Default.aspx?cid=68423
Posted by: michael | Oct 15, 2009 10:21:06 PM