On September 6, 2008, a dear friend of many here in Portland, Maine, was physically assaulted by two strangers who approached him as he was walking home downtown after an evening out. These individuals told our friend that he looked gay before beating him suddenly and violently into unconsciousness.
Our friend ('B')* suffered a concussion and bleeding on the brain, among other injuries, and he will require follow-up care. Like many people who work in the arts part-time and at a bill-paying job the other part of the time, B does not have health insurance. Please click the PayPal link below if you wish to make a donation to help cover his medical expenses and lost work time. To leave messages of support and encouragement, please feel free to sign the Guestbook. Thank you so much!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!
Due to an overwhelming response, B*'s expenses have been covered. We are no longer accepting donations but feel free to sign the guestbook!
Sign the Guestbook
"The Speech I gave..."(10/9)
Equality Maine Prevention of Hate Crime Rally
Tuesday 10/07/2008, Monument Square, Portland
"For most of Portland and beyond, there are a lot of questions about who 'B' is what happened to him on September 6th and how he's doing now.
I'm here to answer a lot of those questions, and shed light on exactly what happened to 'B'. I know with certainty who he is and what he has faced. My name is Byron, and on September 6th I was assaulted here in Portland - the victim of a hate crime. I am 'B'.
Unfortunately - or fortunately, depending on how you look at it - I don't remember a whole lot of what happened that night due to the concussion I later sustained. However, I will tell you what I do remember, and how it affected me.
On the night of Friday, September 5th I performed right here in Monument Square with friends and colleagues for the First Friday Art Walk. After the performances, many of us went to The Asylum to socialize. At approximately 12:30 AM on Saturday, September 6th I headed home. I was wearing theatrical make-up and a costume. I was not in drag or wearing women's clothing, though it wouldn't have mattered if I was. As I crossed the intersection of Forest Ave and Cumberland Ave, two men approached me. The one who engaged me had a lot of anger in his eyes, and he said - and I'm going to use his words: 'I can't understand why you would be a faggot.' I replied by saying, 'I'm dressed this way because I performed earlier, and I don't see what difference it would make to you.' He responded by punching me in the face. I stumbled, and fell unconscious soon after. I don't know how many times I was hit... I can only guess by the number of bruises and injuries I received. I didn't wake up until I was in the hospital. I don't know who witnessed the crime and called 911 on my behalf, but they have my gratitude.
On one hand, I was really lucky - I suffered no broken bones, and I only spent the one night in the hospital. On the other hand, my skull was fractured, and I suffered a concussion and minor bleeding in the brain. However, I choose to look on the positive: I'm able to stand here today. Many others - like Matthew Shepard - weren't so lucky.
In this situation, I am neither gay nor straight. I'm not black or white, male or female. I'm not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. I'm a human being who suffered an injustice that no one should have to face. I deserve the same things that you deserve, which are the same things that *everybody* deserves. I deserve the right to work where I please, to love whomever I choose, to dress however I want, and to walk the city I call home's streets safely. We all deserve that. It's 2008 - we shouldn't still be dealing with crimes of hate. If your beliefs and how you live your life do not hurt anyone else, you should be entitled to all those things I just mentioned.
Because of the love, support, and donations I've received from family, friends, and complete strangers, I've become stronger than I ever thought possible. The support and positive energy all of you have shown me is incredible. I am truly blessed - and humbled - by the generosity directed to me. I can't ever thank all of you who supported me enough.
By standing up today and showing all of you who I am I can put a face and a name to this violence. By coming forward I can face my demons and move on. To my attackers, I ask you: Are you willing to come forward and face your demons?
Again, I can't thank all of you who have helped me enough. I would especially like to thank healportland.com, Amy, Joie, Nathan, Katherine, and Tina Smith for all their hard work, and especially to my dear friend Merrie, without whose help my recovery would not have been possible.
Thank you."
Update (10/2)
Hello all,
Usually when an event is cancelled it is due to some unwanted occurance like an ice storm, or power outage or your band doesn't show up. That is not the case here. This is the first time I have been happy to have to cancel an event.
Due to the immediate and overwhelming response of the community, more than enough funds have been raised to assist with the cost of our friend's medical expenses and time lost from work. It is wonderful to be able to say that due to this expression of support, love and generosity, the HealPortland benefit originally planned to be held on October 16th is no longer needed.
We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who offered to assist with the event, who offered to perform, to dj or just to spread the word. A second thank you also to everyone whose contributions have rendered the benefit unnecessary.
There will be a couple of events happening in Portland in early October, including a forum on hate crimes and a rally in Monument Square. Thank you again.
Thank you.
Update on B's Condition (9/13)
Good news: B's healing is progressing wonderfully! His post-concussive headache (and the the swelling/bruising of his other injuries) has receded considerably, which has him feeling much better. He still tires out more quickly than he typically would, but that is to be expected for awhile. If he follows doctor's orders and eases into his activities very gradually over the next several weeks, we are hopeful that he will be able to make a full recovery. Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and positive energy for healing!
Update on Police Case
The police have spoken with an eyewitness who saw the perpetrators get into the white car that B saw pull over just before he lost consciousness. Therefore the white car is now suspect in the case; it is a late model white four-door sedan with fancy chrome wheels. If you see a vehicle fitting this description in Portland, please contact the Portland police at www.police.portlandmaine.gov or 874-8604. As for the perpetrators themselves, the first is a light-skinned black male, between 5-feet-6-inches and 5-feet-10-inches tall, with a muscular build and shaved head or very short hair; the second is a white male, thin build with brown hair. Our thanks go out to the eyewitness (who called 911 for help)!
Update on B's Condition
A follow-up visit with a neurologist (on 9/9) has indicated that the bleeding on the brain has stopped, thankfully! However, the prognosis now is for an extended road to recovery from the concussion and its aftereffects, which can take several weeks or (for some people) months. B is experiencing several post-concussive symptoms (such as severe headache and fatigue) and needs a lot of rest at this point. This is of course frustrating for him, because he has always been a very active and busy person. He does check the guestbook on this site when he is feeling able, so he knows everyone cares and wishes him well! Please keep him in your thoughts.
Our friend ('B')* suffered a concussion and bleeding on the brain, among other injuries, and he will require follow-up care. Like many people who work in the arts part-time and at a bill-paying job the other part of the time, B does not have health insurance. Please click the PayPal link below if you wish to make a donation to help cover his medical expenses and lost work time. To leave messages of support and encouragement, please feel free to sign the Guestbook. Thank you so much!
THANK YOU FOR YOUR DONATIONS!
Due to an overwhelming response, B*'s expenses have been covered. We are no longer accepting donations but feel free to sign the guestbook!
Sign the Guestbook
"The Speech I gave..."(10/9)
Equality Maine Prevention of Hate Crime Rally
Tuesday 10/07/2008, Monument Square, Portland
"For most of Portland and beyond, there are a lot of questions about who 'B' is what happened to him on September 6th and how he's doing now.
I'm here to answer a lot of those questions, and shed light on exactly what happened to 'B'. I know with certainty who he is and what he has faced. My name is Byron, and on September 6th I was assaulted here in Portland - the victim of a hate crime. I am 'B'.
Unfortunately - or fortunately, depending on how you look at it - I don't remember a whole lot of what happened that night due to the concussion I later sustained. However, I will tell you what I do remember, and how it affected me.
On the night of Friday, September 5th I performed right here in Monument Square with friends and colleagues for the First Friday Art Walk. After the performances, many of us went to The Asylum to socialize. At approximately 12:30 AM on Saturday, September 6th I headed home. I was wearing theatrical make-up and a costume. I was not in drag or wearing women's clothing, though it wouldn't have mattered if I was. As I crossed the intersection of Forest Ave and Cumberland Ave, two men approached me. The one who engaged me had a lot of anger in his eyes, and he said - and I'm going to use his words: 'I can't understand why you would be a faggot.' I replied by saying, 'I'm dressed this way because I performed earlier, and I don't see what difference it would make to you.' He responded by punching me in the face. I stumbled, and fell unconscious soon after. I don't know how many times I was hit... I can only guess by the number of bruises and injuries I received. I didn't wake up until I was in the hospital. I don't know who witnessed the crime and called 911 on my behalf, but they have my gratitude.
On one hand, I was really lucky - I suffered no broken bones, and I only spent the one night in the hospital. On the other hand, my skull was fractured, and I suffered a concussion and minor bleeding in the brain. However, I choose to look on the positive: I'm able to stand here today. Many others - like Matthew Shepard - weren't so lucky.
In this situation, I am neither gay nor straight. I'm not black or white, male or female. I'm not Christian, Jewish, or Muslim. I'm a human being who suffered an injustice that no one should have to face. I deserve the same things that you deserve, which are the same things that *everybody* deserves. I deserve the right to work where I please, to love whomever I choose, to dress however I want, and to walk the city I call home's streets safely. We all deserve that. It's 2008 - we shouldn't still be dealing with crimes of hate. If your beliefs and how you live your life do not hurt anyone else, you should be entitled to all those things I just mentioned.
Because of the love, support, and donations I've received from family, friends, and complete strangers, I've become stronger than I ever thought possible. The support and positive energy all of you have shown me is incredible. I am truly blessed - and humbled - by the generosity directed to me. I can't ever thank all of you who supported me enough.
By standing up today and showing all of you who I am I can put a face and a name to this violence. By coming forward I can face my demons and move on. To my attackers, I ask you: Are you willing to come forward and face your demons?
Again, I can't thank all of you who have helped me enough. I would especially like to thank healportland.com, Amy, Joie, Nathan, Katherine, and Tina Smith for all their hard work, and especially to my dear friend Merrie, without whose help my recovery would not have been possible.
Thank you."
Update (10/2)
Hello all,
Usually when an event is cancelled it is due to some unwanted occurance like an ice storm, or power outage or your band doesn't show up. That is not the case here. This is the first time I have been happy to have to cancel an event.
Due to the immediate and overwhelming response of the community, more than enough funds have been raised to assist with the cost of our friend's medical expenses and time lost from work. It is wonderful to be able to say that due to this expression of support, love and generosity, the HealPortland benefit originally planned to be held on October 16th is no longer needed.
We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who offered to assist with the event, who offered to perform, to dj or just to spread the word. A second thank you also to everyone whose contributions have rendered the benefit unnecessary.
There will be a couple of events happening in Portland in early October, including a forum on hate crimes and a rally in Monument Square. Thank you again.
Thank you.
Update on B's Condition (9/13)
Good news: B's healing is progressing wonderfully! His post-concussive headache (and the the swelling/bruising of his other injuries) has receded considerably, which has him feeling much better. He still tires out more quickly than he typically would, but that is to be expected for awhile. If he follows doctor's orders and eases into his activities very gradually over the next several weeks, we are hopeful that he will be able to make a full recovery. Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and positive energy for healing!
Update on Police Case
The police have spoken with an eyewitness who saw the perpetrators get into the white car that B saw pull over just before he lost consciousness. Therefore the white car is now suspect in the case; it is a late model white four-door sedan with fancy chrome wheels. If you see a vehicle fitting this description in Portland, please contact the Portland police at www.police.portlandmaine.gov or 874-8604. As for the perpetrators themselves, the first is a light-skinned black male, between 5-feet-6-inches and 5-feet-10-inches tall, with a muscular build and shaved head or very short hair; the second is a white male, thin build with brown hair. Our thanks go out to the eyewitness (who called 911 for help)!
Update on B's Condition
A follow-up visit with a neurologist (on 9/9) has indicated that the bleeding on the brain has stopped, thankfully! However, the prognosis now is for an extended road to recovery from the concussion and its aftereffects, which can take several weeks or (for some people) months. B is experiencing several post-concussive symptoms (such as severe headache and fatigue) and needs a lot of rest at this point. This is of course frustrating for him, because he has always been a very active and busy person. He does check the guestbook on this site when he is feeling able, so he knows everyone cares and wishes him well! Please keep him in your thoughts.
*(We are withholding B's name from the public for now, until he has recovered sufficiently to make his own decision as to whether he wishes to release it. Those of you who do know him personally, please respect this anonymity in your guestbook postings. Thank you!)"