Police investigating series of anti-LGBT+ hate crimes

UPDATE: Calgary police say they’ve identified the suspects believed to be connected to an assault of a same-sex couple in Kensington on Monday.

Officers continue to investigate the assault and are process evidence.

ORIGINAL STORY

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — Police are looking for help finding suspects after three separate hate-motivated attacks against members of Calgary’s LGBT+ community.

This weekend, an incident went viral after a local drag king said they were spit on while shooting a video on Stephen Avenue.

Jordan May, who performs under the name Duke Carson, was performing on the rainbow sidewalk ahead of this year’s virtual Pride celebrations when the suspect also shouted a homophobic slur.

“It took a bit to register what had happened,” they said. “Anytime you go out in public in drag, you’re exposing yourself to commentary and things of that nature.”

May then posted on their Instagram account to give advice to others in the community.

“Be safe out there. Make sure that you surround yourself with good friends, good allies, and people that are there to help stand up for you. Be kind, be respectful, everybody’s got something going on, and the least you can do is be kind.”

They were able to re-shoot the video in a private studio afterwards.

Calgary police said they are examining surveillance footage and hope they can identify the man responsible.

In a press release on Tuesday, police added they are also investigating two other recent incidents.

First off, on July 19, a man was assaulted near the intersection of 17 Avenue and 12 Street S.W. in broad daylight by a group of men who also shouted homophobic slurs.

There was no other information provided about that attack.

Then, most recently, on August 3, a same-sex couple was walking in the Kensington area when they were attacked.

At around 5:30 p.m., the pair were near the intersection of 9 Street and Memorial Drive N.W., when two men and two women on e-scooters approached. There was an altercation, with the two men alleged to have assaulted the couple because of their sexual orientation.

https://twitter.com/Tommy_Slick/status/1290776213833707520

A belt, rocks, and a recycling bin were used as weapons, and then the group fled.

Police said the victims suffered non-life-threatening injuries, but officers could not locate the suspects when they arrived. A post on Reddit said the victims had concussions, and one may have to have surgery on their hand due to injuries sustained by the belt.

Photos of the suspects have been released, and anyone with information is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

“It is shocking to see anyone targeted for a crime because of a personal characteristic, but it is extremely disturbing to see the same community targeted three times in one weekend,” said Sergeant Arlene Padnivelan, with the Calgary Police Service Diversity Resource Team. “It is unacceptable that this is happening, and we will absolutely investigate anytime a crime is motivated by hate or bias.”