Man Who Directed Play About Homophobia Beaten In Anti-Gay Assault
A gay man in Windsor, Ontario, was beaten, robbed and called anti-gay slurs during an attack yesterday. This comes days after a play about homophobia directed by the victim, Chris Rabideau, debuted in that city on International Day Against Homophobia.
The Windsor Star reports:
They took his wallet, then brought him to his feet. Rabideau said the two men were talking to him and using homophobic slurs. “Of course, ‘faggot’ and everything in between.”
He tried to flee to his apartment building, but they caught him in the lobby and assaulted him with greater intensity, kicking him in the head when he was on the floor.
After the attack, the two men “just calmly walked out of the building,” McMillan said.
Rabideau has come forward about the crime, saying it is an example to the public that violent homophobia exists in Windsor. “This is what it looks like,” he said.
Police have released a screenshot from footage of a security camera that captured the attack on videotape.
Windsor police are encouraging anyone with leads to call 519-255-TIPS.
Watch an interview with Rabideau that took place earlier this month in which he talks about "Waking Up Blue," the first LGBT play in Windsor, Ontario, AFTER THE JUMP.
Way to research! Now that's commitment to his craft!
Posted by: LetSodomRing | May 22, 2010 2:31:18 PM
Guy in the photo needs to have his cigarette stamped out on his penis for the crime, and NOTHING less! Such an ignorant, arrogant fuck...
Posted by: Paul | May 22, 2010 3:06:07 PM
That's a pretty clear photo. I hope they find this guy quickly.
Posted by: That Burning Sensation | May 22, 2010 4:03:08 PM
Windsor may be a cultural desert, but this is NOT the first ever LGBT play in Windsor. It's the first one written by and about local Windsor LGBT youth.
In addition to a local production of Rent, we've also had two separate productions of The Best Man, written by Windsor playwright Christopher Lawrence-Menard.
Korda Productions also has put on many plays with LGBT content, including Pterodactyls, and several of Charles Busch's works.
Posted by: Randy | May 22, 2010 6:46:51 PM
The guy who attacked him is probably a closet case -- isn't that always the case? Not a fan of "hate crimes" though. This is a CRIME crime, full stop.
Posted by: Fred | May 22, 2010 7:11:07 PM
The Criminal Code of Canada says a hate crime is committed to intimidate, harm or terrify not only a person, but an entire group of people to which the victim belongs. The victims are targeted for who they are, not because of anything they have done.
Hate crimes involve intimidation, harassment, physical force or threat of physical force against a person, a family or a property.
From what I read this qualifies as a hate crime. They will catch the perps...and I hope the judge throws the book at them.
Posted by: excy | May 22, 2010 10:08:36 PM
The common thread in all of these stories is that the victim is always out late at night by themselves. My mom always said, "Nothing good ever happens after midnight." There are those that will always say, "I should be free to walk outside late at night!" But ask yourself is it a good idea? I work on a college campus and the campus police always stress, when out late at night, walk in groups when possible. We all have to be more proactive when it comes to our own safety. I'm not blaming the victim here. It this particular case, he should have known better having directed a play about homophobia.
Posted by: alfredo | May 22, 2010 10:35:12 PM
I hope they get the guys that did this.
Posted by: Dawnell_do | May 23, 2010 2:09:52 AM
@ ALFREDO,
Yes, you *are* blaming the victim.
Posted by: Wheezy | May 23, 2010 2:14:49 AM
Been to Windsor twice. One of the blandest towns I've ever been in. A quintessentially dull, typical small North American city. Sorry, no offense to Windsorites, but my visits really left a profound impression on me. Perfectly ok people, but my God......I felt like I was in a time wharp circa 1978.
Posted by: John in Boston | May 23, 2010 9:17:53 PM
I hope they nail their sorry asses and I do mean, once they go to prison they will have very sorry asses. Give 'em 50 years for the hate crime. Maybe then others who think they too can get away with attacking gay people will give second thought to doing so. The attack makes me sick.
Posted by: OS2Guy | May 24, 2010 1:02:37 AM
Alfredo - of course, we should ALWAYS blame the victim for being out late or for wearing sexy clothing, or for being gay. Get a grip you idiot! They were attacked for being gay be it morning, noon or night, it DOESN'T MATTER what time of day. What matters is that these criminals be caught and go to jail for a very long time. Before you post again, think about what you are saying. You read like an idiot.
Posted by: OS2Guy | May 24, 2010 1:05:39 AM
"Whats a nice girl doing out at this time of night?" "What were you wearing at the time of the attack?" "Did you ever direct a play about homophobia?" Heterosexist, patriarchal cultures take assaults against women and gay men and make it about the victims, barely putting any effort into questioning the motives of the agressors. And yes, Alfredo, questioning the behavior of the victim while not doing so for the agressors IS in fact blaming the victim. Think before you speak, man.
Posted by: g_whiz | May 24, 2010 9:39:08 AM
Wheezy, Os2gy, and G_whiz not one of you spoke to my point, and that point was for the short attention span among you was, "Is it a good idea for you to be walking around by yourselves late at night a good idea? No you didn't. Do I think this attack was wrong, yes I do. Do I "barely put any effort into questioning the motives of the agressors? No I don't need to because we all know what those motives are. But if you are going to play the victim, don't be surprised if you wind up being one. I have been the victim of a couple of hate crimes, I know how to protect myself. I hope the same for all of you.
Posted by: Alfredo | May 26, 2010 12:31:30 AM