Hate Crime Alleged in
Aviance Beating
By Daniel Trotta,
Reuters from washingtonpost.com June 12, 2006
NEW YORK -- Gay performance
artist Kevin Aviance was released from the hospital on Monday after suffering a
beating that rights advocates said was a reminder of the hate crimes gays still
face, even in New York City.
"Kevin is in a lot of pain, mentally and physically. He faces a long road
to recovery," his lawyer, Jay Sanchez, said after Aviance was wheeled out of the
hospital, his jaw wired shut and his leg in a brace.
"We all know it's happening out there all the time," Sanchez said of violence
against gays.
Aviance could not speak for himself because of his injuries but he formed the
words "thank you" with his lips to the media. He wore large sunglasses and
a rainbow-colored sleeve.
Four males aged 16 to 20 have been arrested on suspicion of hate crime assault,
in which the chart-topping singer and so-called "underground freak" performing
artist was attacked upon walking home from a bar early on Saturday morning.
They yelled "kill the faggot" and other epithets during the beating, said Len
Evans, Aviance's publicist.
New York police have reported 22 anti-gay bias crimes so far this year compared
to 17 for the same date a year ago.
Gay sources said it was particularly shocking that the attack occurred in the
East Village -- one of the most gay-friendly neighborhoods in generally tolerant
New York.
Aviance, with three Billboard number one dance music singles to his credit as a
vocalist, was described by Evans as "Missy Elliott meets Grace Jones." The
artist also lists Boy George and David Bowie as his influences.
Now he will have his jaw wired shut for two and a half weeks, at the height of
Gay Pride Month. He still hopes to participate in the Gay Pride Parade on
June 25.
"He said it feels like someone pulled your soul out," Evans said. "This
was his month to shine. He made people feel proud to be gay, to walk the
streets and to feel comfortable in their own skin. That was taken away
from him."
The executive director of the New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence
Project said gays were particularly vulnerable during Gay Pride Month when "we
are so visible as a community, which can fuel the ire of those folks that hate
us."
At roughly the same time as Aviance was beaten, three gay men were attacked by
seven or eight men in the working-class neighborhood of Astoria, Queens, Patton
said.
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