"I remember seeing them heading toward me as I walked alone on the street. I didn’t really have much of a choice." Poet, performance artist, activist and actor Emanuel Xavier speaks out for the first time since his brutal beating on a Brooklyn street, talking to Andres Duque in the Gay City News. On October 25, he was beaten by a group of 15 to 20 teenagers. Xavier sustained some facial bruises and nerve damage to his inner right ear.
“One of them hit me on the back of the head, which I think was meant to knock me to the ground. But I somehow managed to turn right only to have the others punch me around.”
The spoken word artist also addressed critics who suggested that he somehow invited the attack: “Those are ignorant comments. I didn’t exactly think it would be dangerous to visit my mom at 8 p.m. on a Tuesday night in a neighborhood where I grew up."
Xavier is the author of critically-acclaimed Pier Queen, and has appeared on Def Poetry Jam and in the movie Ski Trip. Let's pray for a speedy recovery.
Victim Speaks Out (Gay City News) Disturbing News (Rod 2.0) Emanuel Xavier Brutally Beaten (Blabbeando) Tonight: The Ski Trip (Rod 2.0) Books Are Sexy (Frank León Roberts ) Update on Emanuel Xavier (Blabbeando)
A Philadelphia judge dismisses charges against a young gay man who fatally stabbed an attacker. On October 29, 21 year-old Lucas Dawson (seen here with his mother) was enroute to meet friends to discuss his audition for American Idol the day before. Dawson says that he was jumped by seven teens, stabbing one in the chest in self-defense. He was was charged with manslaughter after the teen died. Now freed, the young man says that he is moving. "Seven guys jumped me and one guy died. That's still six other people that want to hurt me." (via Bernie)
i know right man. i am so gald you survived and god brought you through.its a shame that people can't be themselves without people wanting to cause you harm about something that has no effect their lives what so ever.
Posted by: algie | 11 November 2005 at 09:02
I pose the question, is it time we started arming ourselves?
Posted by: Bernie | 11 November 2005 at 13:54
Justice has been served.
Posted by: CHARLES | 11 November 2005 at 15:04
I was so saddened by this.
And if there is ever a situation or an event that prompts people to come out of hiding and pick up arms to fight the rising tide of homophobic violence against our youth ... this is it.
I truly wish Emanuel & Lucas the best of luck in healing their physical and emotional wounds ... so they can move on and continue living proud and true.
Posted by: taylor Siluwé | 12 November 2005 at 08:08