STOP CALLING MCCOY's!
Monday, September 28, 2009 12:06PM
In the middle of a flurry of press interviews -- TV, print, etc...
I spoke with the owner of McCoy's, the bar outside of which this incident occurred. They are cooperating with police and very frustrated about the incident.
He told me the guy's were drunk, talking about being back from Iraq, and were abrasive, even about paying the check.
He is helping us in any way we can. He has urged he is a friend of the gay community, and wants everyone to know he welcomes everyone to his bar.
He is handing over video footage from the assault to police.
I'm confident he will aid in this investigation, and be an ally to us in the future.
So, please stop inundating him with calls!
48 Hours Later...
Monday, September 28, 2009 5:14AM
It's hard to believe it's been almost exactly 48 hours since I first sat down in my bed to write about what happened late Friday night. Never in my life did I expect to be a victim of a hate crime. Never in my life did I expect to see my friends hurt before my eyes, simply because we're gay. Never in my life did I expect to be so disappointed by the police we had called for help.
Yet, never in my life have I felt so empowered.
Thanks to the 12,000 times this blog has been viewed since me and my friends were assaulted, I have connected with some amazing people:
A kid in Brooklyn, asking about my coming out story, and if the buses to D.C. for the Equality March will be wheelchair-accessible.
A couple who made some calls on our behalf and sent "big gay hugz" from Vermont.
A man suffering from AIDS in California who was beaten beyond recognition a couple years ago, who is already planning to come to D.C. with his husband.
These are the people we are standing up for. These are the people who need a voice bigger than their own. These are the people who have touched me profoundly in these 48 hours. I will remember this weekend for the rest of my life, as a weekend that changed my life; as the weekend I was inspired to demand change.
I am inspired by New York City Council Speaker Christine J. Quinn, who has already demanded an investigation into the NYPD's handling of our assault.
I am inspired by the incredible outpouring of support from friends, family, and even strangers. I'm inspired by my conservative Republican uncle in Connecticut, who was one of the first to call, make sure I'm ok, and encourage me to "keep doing the right thing" by spreading the word.
I am inspired by the straight professor from New Mexico, who was outraged and promised equality would always be a prerequisite in his curriculum.
And I am inspired by a mother from Alabama who wrote me after her son told her what happened to us. She was appalled by this man's anger, saying "he will not ever be anyone's hero, but because of this situation... you might be."
Stand tall with us, make your voice heard, and join this fight. EQUALITY FOR ALL!
Speaker Christine Quinn's Response to our Anti-Gay Assault in Hell's Kitchen
Sunday, September 27, 2009 6:06PM
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
CITY HALL
NEW YORK, NY 10007
(212) 788-7116
**For Immediate Release**
September 27, 2009
Contact: Anthony Hogrebe 646-263-1487
Release # 089-2009
Statement by Speaker Christine C. Quinn
Re: Reports of Anti-gay attack in Hell’s Kitchen
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.
###
What's your story?
Sunday, September 27, 2009 1:28PM
Since Friday night when my friends and I were physically assaulted for being gay, I've gotten a lot of messages from people who have also been victims of hate.
Most appalling is the consistent lack of adequate help from the police.
If you were the victim of a hate crime, please contact my friend Erik Bottcher in NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn's office:
212.788.5646
ebottcher@council.nyc.gov
Please also share your story here. You are not alone, and we need to tell each other what we've been through.
E-mail equality@blakehayes.com and tell me what happened, where, when, and what kind of help you got, or didn't get. Also please specify whether you want your name included in the post.
Keep talking. Stand up for your rights, and for the equal protection of your neighbors, friends, and family.
DO NOT LET THIS END
Sunday, September 27, 2009 10:07AM
In the past 24 hours since word first started to spread about what happened on 9th Avenue to me and my friends, I have been truly inspired.
Alec, Danny, and I have received an overwhelming outpouring of support that has touched us deeply. But we got lucky. Alec's jaw is still a little sore, but we otherwise avoided any lasting injury.
Behind each of the three of us is a long line of other victims. But they may have been permanently scarred. They may have been killed.
Behind each of us is a kid whose parents kick him out of the house when he bravely comes out.
Behind each of us is a hero serving our nation who is forced to lie about who he loves.
Behind each of us is a 21 year-old who is beaten, tied to a fence and left to die.
Behind each of us is an 11 year-old kid bullied in school, and driven to suicide because he is consumed by the hatred of his peers.
Together, we have the power to stop it. What have YOU done?
In the past 24 hours I have heard from so many of you. Do not let your voices die out when this weekend is over.
Tomorrow -- Monday -- I will be posting contact information for various lawmakers, local and national, who need to hear from us. If you have made a call to the police precinct that ignored this incident, thank you. If you have called the bar where it happened to express your disappointment, thank you. If you have sent any of us a note trying to help or offer support, thank you.
This is only the beginning. Stand up. Keep shouting. Keep talking. Whether you're a man or woman, gay or straight, in New York or across the country, do not stand by and continue to let the rights of your neighbors, your friends, your family, be trampled upon.
We still have a lot of work to do.
Saturday, September 26, 2009 3:58AM
Two punches to the face. Smacked. Thrown against a car, denting its body. Told we should die of AIDS. Is this what you should expect walking down 9th Ave with a couple friends?
I've walked the same block a million times. The place I call "home" is only 2 blocks away. I consider this neighborhood to be made up of friends, neighbors and allies. And yet tonight, it became a threatening, unaccepting place.
Walking down this usual block, a friend turned when a lit cigarette butt was thrown at him. "Keep moving, faggot." 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, smacked me, 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."
Being able to marry is one thing. But being able to walk down the street in peace, and to be able to see someone arrested who tries to disrupt that peace -- is a simple human right.
And yet, in New York State, in New York City -- The Greatest City In The World -- we are still not viewed as equal citizens.
I don't know about you... but I've had enough.
The time for equality is NOW. If what I've told you about tonight upsets you, or if you know people who are affected by this kind of discrimination, please STAND WITH US as we march in Washington D.C. in a national demonstration for EQUALITY FOR ALL.
Get more info at broadwayimpact.com or equalityacrossamerica.org/march
Every voice counts. Make yours heard.
Salmon is for dinner!
Friday, September 25, 2009 7:22PM
Tonight I made salmon... with a lemon-ginger-tarragon sauce and a side of mashed potatoes and asparagus!
Use your favorite mashed potato recipe (I had some left over from the other night) ... and for the asparagus, just saute in garlic and oil or bake for 15 minutes or so at 375.
For the salmon:
1 salmon fillet
1 lemon
Sweet-hot mustard
Liquid sugar (agave nectar?)
Ginger root
Tarragon
Olive oil, salt, pepper
In a small bowl, mix the juice of the lemon, 1 tbsp of the mustard, a short squeeze (1 tsp?) of the agave nectar, grated ginger root (1 1/2 tsp) and a pinch of chopped tarragon. Transfer to a small saucepan over LOW heat. Stir and heat until it reduces. Leave on very low heat.
Season the salmon fillet opposite the skin side with salt and pepper, and glaze with 2 spoonfuls of the lemon-ginger sauce. In a large skillet over med-high heat, coat with olive oil. Drop the salmon in, skin-side up. Sear for 3-4 minutes then transfer to the oven at 375 to bake through; 15-20 minutes.
...And it's even HEALTHY!
Learning to STOMP!
Friday, September 25, 2009 4:02PM
STOMP is an amazing theater experience, and it's been running FOREVER off-Broadway in New York City at the Orpheum Theater.
I caught up with the cast a year or so ago and they (tried) to teach my some of their rhythmic moves.
If you haven't seen it yet, it's a pretty amazing show. It's still in NYC and I think they're touring again too!
Free Style
Friday, September 25, 2009 12:26PM
Tomorrow... interviewing the cast of Free Style, a new movie hitting theaters soon. It's about a kid's quest for a spot on the Grand National motocross racing team.
I'll be chatting with stars Corbin Bleu (High School Musical), Madison Pettis (Game Plan), Penelope Ann Miller (Kindergarten Cop) and Sandra Echeverria (Telemundo).
Stay tuned for video!
My new love
Thursday, September 24, 2009 9:56PM
After a half hour trip to Bed Bath & Beyond, with a $144 dent in my bank account, I have met my newest long-term relationship face-to-face. Er, face-to-blade.
It's an 8-inch chef knife. Sharp. Perfectly balanced.
For the record, I got a handful of other stuff to fill out my kitchen too, but the knife certainly takes the spotlight. What should I name him?
Tonight it was chicken parm for dinner:
2 chicken breasts, pounded thin
1 egg
Breadcrumbs
Pasta (2 cups?)
4 Slices smoked mozzarella cheese
Marinara sauce (from a jar or make it yourself -- recipe below)
Salt & pepper
Olive oil
Parsley or basil, for garnish
In one bowl, whisk the egg. In another, or a deep plate, pour about 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs. Boil the pasta in salted water.
For each pounded chicken breast, dip into the egg bowl and coat. Transfer to breadcrumb bowl and coat. Hit with salt and pepper. Coat a large pan with olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook each breast about 4-5 minutes on each side, until cooked through. Transfer to a baking sheet, and top with marinara sauce and mozzarella. Throw 'em under the broiler until the cheese melts. Plate with pasta and garnish with basil or parsley.
Buon Appetito!