AKA William

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On Friday night, TV and radio show host Blake Hayes, Broadway performer Danny Calvert, and two other friends were walking in Hell’s Kitchen when a man flicked a burning cigarette butt at one of them and said, “Keep moving, faggot.” The confrontation then turned violent. Hayes writes on his blog:

We all stopped, shocked to hear these words in what is normally such an accepting, gay-friendly neighborhood, in New York, such an open-minded city.

We exchanged words, more and more heated, until he started to approach us, threatening violence. Before we knew it, he had shoved me down the block, then thrown one friend against a car, denting it. The other took two punches to the face, cutting his lip before the bouncer at McCoy’s came out and stopped him.

We called the police. They arrived — 5 cops or so, from at least 2 cars. They talked to the guy who assaulted us. They asked us what happened. We recounted the story.

The cops — the NYPD — did NOTHING. They wouldn’t even take the guy’s information so we could file a claim later, or even run the plates of the car whose body was dented from him throwing my friend into it. “They’re NJ plates, we can’t do anything.”

Since Hayes first posted about the incident on his site, other gay people who have been attacked while the police were unresponsive have written to Hayes.

Yesterday, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn issued a statement.

Early Saturday morning there was a report of an anti-LGBT attack in Hell’s Kitchen in which two individuals were the victims of a physical assault. I am obviously outraged by news that another bias attack has occurred in our city. But I am also deeply concerned by reports from the victims that NYPD officers responding to the scene did not appropriately recognize the seriousness of the incident. In fact, it has been reported that they failed to attempt to apprehend or even to collect contact information from the alleged assailant. If these reports are true, the behavior of the police officers involved was also outrageous and merits swift action by the police department.

In response I have spoken to Police Commissioner Kelly’s office. They have agreed to conduct an investigation of these reports, and to have police officials meet personally with the victims this week. I am very gratified that the police department has agreed to my requests, and urge them to complete a swift and thorough investigation.

One of the most significant tools that have helped us to combat hate crimes here in New York City is having a strong police response to incidents when they occur. There was a time in our city when victims of hate crimes did not feel that the police were their allies. Any time a crime of this nature occurs, victims need to know they will be taken seriously.

To their credit, the NYPD have demonstrated that they normally respond aggressively and appropriately to such crimes. But even one such failure can begin to undermine all of our collaborative and historic efforts. In addition, every victim deserves to have their incident taken as seriously as any other. I will continue to work with advocates and the NYPD to increase and expand training when needed, so police officers have the tools they need to respond appropriately to bias attacks.

Hayes is asking those who have also been victims of hate crimes in the area to contact Erik Bottcher in NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s office at 212.788.5646 or ebottcher@council.nyc.gov.

Or you can contact Hayes directly at equality@blakehayes.com.