Ryan Smith was with a group of friends in a St Maarten bar, having a few drinks after yet another lucky wins at the local casino. St Maarten is promoted as a gay-friendly destination, and although the bar they were in was not specifically a gay bar, the locals are generally welcoming and gay visitors have usually felt comfortable everywhere on the island. But as Ryan and his boyfriend, Justin, were sitting off to the side they gave each other a hug, when a group of locals spotted them.
What resulted is told in the story that follows. Honestly, it’s infuriating, not just because of the attack, but because of what has happened since with the police, the government, and the attackers who still have not been caught. The small island “St Martin” is split into two territories: St Martin is French, and St Maarten is Dutch; but the entire island’s systems of government are grossly negligent.
There has been a lot of attention on this case because Ryan and Dick Jefferson, another friend in the group who was attacked, work for CBS News. Nothing was done about this case until Dick flew back to the island, threatened the government with media pressure, and they feared the negative press would deter future tourists.
I spent several days with Ryan, talking about the incident; when I mentioned the gay cruises that are still scheduled to stop at the island, he said he wanted to tell the story of what happened that night. It was far beyond the typical “gay bashing,” if there is such.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Although he has healed well over the past month and should make a full recovery, Ryan still has problems communicating. Sitting for several sessions over two days, he told me what he wanted to say, and I typed. Please read.
Ryan Smith:
~~~
We were all sitting in a bar, talking, and Justin and I gave each other a hug, when a big group of locals came in and sat across from us, and starting yelling at us and calling us names. There were about six or seven people in that group.
A bouncer told us we should go to the other side of the bar, and we did, but the group kept following us and bothering us. So we tried to leave, when one of the guys picked up a chair, and tried to hit Justin with it. Then he threw the chair at me.
So the bouncer kicked the group out of the bar, but I wanted to leave, I had a feeling like this is not over.
As we left the bar, we realized some of the people were in a small white car outside. We walked to our van, but the car came up behind us and tried to run us over. Justin rolled over the hood; I was hit on my side and got knocked over. I stood up and we all started to run away, but they got out of the car, and started throwing things at us, spray paint cans and a tire jack, whatever they had lying around. They blocked us up against a row of parked cars, so I tried to hit one of the guys to push him out of the way, but another guy grabbed me by the head and shoved me down. And he hit me on the side of my head with a tire iron.
A lot of people came out of the bar to see what was happening, and several people called the police, but they only got an answering machine. So they left messages, including the car’s license plate number. Dick was hit in the head as well, and was sitting on the curb, covered in blood. I was sitting on the ground, holding a shirt on my head to stop the bleeding. Everyone was saying “you’re not okay,” and they could see my skull, but I kept saying I was fine. And then I tried to talk but it just came out as jibberish and didn’t make sense.
We didn’t know where the hospital was, and everyone kept calling emergency to ask how we could get to there, but no one responded, so we just sat on the curb and waited. I was told later that someone ran to the nearby casino and asked for help there, and finally got two police officers to show up.
The police said “We’re getting the ambulance” but they didn’t ask any questions about what had happened, where the attackers went, the car’s license plate; they didn’t ask any of the witnesses for any statements. When the ambulance finally showed up, Justin told a police officer he wanted to give a statement so he could leave with me in the ambulance. And the officer said, “There’s no reason. Why would I need to do that?”
When I got to the hospital in St Maarten, they realized our injuries were too extensive, so CBS paid to have Richard and I airlifted to a hospital in Miami. CBS also flew my parents from Ohio to Miami, and they arranged all my medical care. I had brian surgery, to remove fragments of my skull from my brain, and to relieve brain swelling. A section of my skull was too damaged to fix, so they have to put in a plate to replace it. That will happen in a couple of months. Until then, I have to be very careful not to hit the side of my head, as there is no skull there; it’s just muscle and skin over my brain. I have a helmet I’m supposed to wear. My friends want me to get some stickers and decorate it. I probably will.
~~~
I was told later that all the phone messages to the police were erased, and that they never looked for the car, even though they had a complete description and a license plate number. The police chief has said they know where the car is, and they will investigate it once it is impounded, but it seems obvious that they won’t find any evidence on it, after all this time. And I can’t imagine why they haven’t impounded it yet.
From my understanding, there are several people in custody. A woman was arrested on the Dutch side of the island, who may have been involved in our attempted murders, and last weekend a man and a woman turned themselves in because they feared being sent to jail by the French authorities. If the French police caught them, they would be sent to another island which has a prison that people say is much worse, so they turned themselves into the Dutch side with hopes that they’d have easier conditions. Now there are two others that have not been arrested yet, and people are saying that they actually were the main attackers.
There are a few things that complicate the situation, besides the fact that nothing was done the night of the crime.
The island of St Martin is actually two different provinces. One side is French, the other is Dutch. From my understanding, there has been very little cooperation between the two sides; both have separate police departments, and they don’t seem to cooperate, as they are run by two separate countries. It is known that, after the people committed the crime on the Dutch side, they went to hide on French side. And on this very small island, people go to both sides all the time; you go to the beach on one side, and to eat on the other, never passing any sort of border. So if you were to be robbed or attacked on one side of the island, the criminal can simply go a mile and cross to the other side of the island, and the police can’t follow them. And because the police work for two separate governments, apparently they don’t work with each other. It’s amazing.
Local residents have said the attackers have caused crimes before, and were well-known on the island. I don’t know why the police let this go on for this long. Although to be honest, I doubt the police knew the extent of their criminal histories, since they never talk to each other.
~~
There are several things I believe we need to work on:
1) We need to make sure that the people who did this are prosecuted.
2) We all need to realize what we’re getting into when we go to an island to have a good time, that just because a place has nice beaches and good weather, and the government encourages you to come spend your money, it doesn’t mean they have any sort of resources to protect while you are there. The resorts may be nice, but these islands in the Caribbean are very poor.
We need to insist that if the island is going to welcome visitors, they must have some sort of a police force that will answer their phone if they are called with an emergency. Attacks on gay people happen everywhere, and they will happen again. But you would like to think that if a place is being marketed as a gay-friendly destination, the police would be ready to handle these problems when they arise.
3) In St Maarten, the police don’t seem to have any basic protocol to follow if a crime is reported. St Maarten especially, and the Caribbean as a whole, needs to have some sort of system to investigate, arrest, and file charges against people who commit serious crimes, so they can’t just walk to another part of the island and escape the police.
4) We need to take the murders, and the attempted murders, of gay men and women seriously. Just because these attacks happen everywhere, it does not mean it is any less important to prosecute each person who commits these crimes.
~~
Not everyone in a situation like this is able to share is able to speak up. The only reason the St. Maarten government is doing anything about this crime is because Dick Jefferson and I work as journalists. As victims, it’s our job to inform everyone what happened to us; as journalists it is our job to put the issue in context. They may claim they are investigating the crime for us, but we need to question how many of these crimes have been ignored.
photo by Marcie Cohn Band/Miami Herald
Travis
I am heart broken and enraged.
steven
What’s equally enraging is that these Dutch controlled islands seem to be completely at odds with the rest of Dutch society. Time to send in some new provincial Governers I think.
James
Ryan Smith’s last paragraph is something we all need to pay attention to.
peace
Will
Wow. I’ve read a little about this attack before, but this is the first I’ve paid attention to the details. And I’m glad I finally did.
I have no confidence in the Dutch government to deal with crime and to investigate these attempted murders. St. Maarten is off my list of places to visit.
Isn’t Aruba also controlled by the Dutch? Its been a year since Natalie Holloway disappeared and they’ve gotten nowhere in that investigation.
David
Thanks for this. I think the issues go far beyond anti-gay bias, although that is certainly a part. The main component is just irresponsible government and a country where the focus is on getting tourism dollars with a minimum of concern for the well-being of these tourists, gay or straight.
Heathen6
this is incredible
Johnny
I can’t belive in this day and age when a crime has been commited (on anyone) the POLICE do nothing. That is just disgusting. I have lost faith in the police. They protect their own. PERIOD In the U. S. and everywhere I suppose. Women should rule the world. A women would never let this happen. I AM NOT A WOMAN. I only think they should take over from the men who have fucked up most everything they have done. They are so afraid of their power being taken away that they will do ANYTHING to make sure that doesn’t happen. And of course gay men will be villified by MEN. Because we make them question their masculinity. If you have a question about it, then maybe y0u want to suck it too.
Hans RU Maristela
I’m happy that Ryan has somehow recovered, though not completely,as he mentioned in the article. But I’m very angry that no real progress has been made to prosecute those responsible for the attempted murder of Ryan and his life partner. As the local government officials in both the St. Martin and St. Maarten sides have shown themselves to be no more competent that two neanderthal caciques (as with most overseas territories), pressure should be exerted on Dutch prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende and his French counterpart Dominique de Villepin. In the meantime, people should be reminded to visit only the following countries/territories in the Caribbean: Cuba, the Dominican Republic and my favorite, Puerto Rico. Jamaica is just as bad, if not worse.
Ed
thank you queerty for the profile. It’s another gross reminder that although gay dollars are always accepted, it doesn’t equate to gay acceptance. Aside from a few enclaves, this country’s not much difference… But every day is a fight and a fight worth fighting for- best wishes to Ryan and all the Ryan’s who never had a voice.
Archbishop Bruce J. Simpson
It is time to boycott the islands where it is open season on gays. I hear Hawaii is nicer than any island in the south.
Giorgio
My partner and I had been planning a week’s vacation on St. Maarten’s before this occurred, and we cancelled our plans. I fully support others doing the same, and letting the St. Maarten’s tourist board know the reason. But it’s long been known that the Caribbean is generally quite hostile to gay people. The islands are poor, with tourism often being the main industry, which creates dependence and resentment. Combine the economic issues with the conservative cultural tenor of many of the islands, and you get hate crimes against gay tourists. Fundamentalist religion is strong on many Caribbean islands, with Jamaicans being particularly god-crazed, worshipping everything from Jesus to dead Ethiopian emperors. Many islanders see us as rich, decadent, godless, and immoral. But as dangerous as this situation can be for gay foreigners, it’s far far worse for gay islanders who have to live in these backward societies.
Jack Ferguson
Outrageous
I was just on St. Maarten with my triad. A sweet lesbian lady mentioned the attack on a catamaran trip we took, but I just found this story (from a straight friend). It’s clear from the horrible disparity from the island’s insanely rich and the destitute poor that this and other acts of violence result from the island leaders capitulation to the rich. Gays are just a lightening rod in places like that.
Georgio, I, too, support a boycot… but let’s let the appropriate government officials of Holland and France know about the reasons too. I fear that letters to the locals will be promptly filed in can #13. Another instance where being loud is essential!
Speedy recovery Ryan!
Miriam Foshay
Wow, what a dreadful story. We were just there, stayed on the St. Maarten side, and we noticed the singular lack of police presence. I think we saw one police car the whole time we were there. With all the revenue coming in from off-shore, you would think that they would tax the hotels and the casinos enough to provide a bit more protection. Sad to say, while we were there they had enough personnel to conduct a sweep of Orient Beach (French side) to search for illegal immigrants, but not enough to track down attempted murderers (Dutch side).
If you will suggest some addresses, I will write! I hope Ryan has a full recovery.
SCOTT
my partner and I where in St. Martin when Ryan & Dick and their group of friends where there, we met you guys on Cupecoy Beach, your friends who stayed on the island till their original departure date told us all what happened that nite , JUST UNBELIEVABLE, glad our prayers were answered and your feeling better , I just hope things get back to normal for you Ryan
dee lappy
Sorry about what happened, it just some bad apples. there are bad apples everywhere. Try coming to the USVI if you are not sure about other islands. I am from St. Thomas, we would love to have you. Much love to all my “FAMILY.” Stay strong and keep pushing for our rights all over the planet.
Nick
I’m glad that Ryan, Dick & Justin are safe and home. I know that the physical and emotional wounds will take some time to heal. My partner and I also just returned from St. Maarten (first week of May) with my partner’s parents and 3 additional friends. We have loved the island since we stepped foot on it. We have owned a timeshare for 6 years and last year just bought a condo that is being built near Cupecoy.
I did see more police this time around, but many times they were parked in the back corner of the gas station parking lot. It is clear that they are lazy and incompetent. Unfortunately, we see the same thing even here in states. In New York, many police, firemen and public officials are bought off or given jobs just because they are friends or family, not because they are competent. We must continue to make our voices heard and never stop. There are forces of evil (even claiming to be religious) that will never stop until we put back into the closet forever. We must never stop to put anyone who denies our rights in their place and to elect those who believe in true human rights for all (obviously not George Bush).
The reality is that most of the Caribbean islands CANNOT effectively govern themselves! St. Maarten is the most prosperous that it has ever been and it’s broke with a huge deficit. The time has come for the Dutch to reclaim the island and enforce true Dutch law and the same for the French. Until they can prove themselves, the only right they have is to live there and learn.
God Bless you Ryan, Justin and Dick!
K
..i dont know you..but im broken hearted by ur story…im sorry that its so hard to trust people today…but please .stay proud of urself…love yourself…because you are beautiful no matter what..you were put here for a reason..and it wasnt to picked on..or beat…or made fun of…feel better…
with love
avi
that’s so awful. most places in the u.s. are just as bad with not caring i’m sure. and umm, i know this is fairly irrelevant, but i just need to point out that the google contextual ads are promoting st. maarten’s vacations.
Matticus
Dude, i’m deeply sorry for what happend down there in the caribbean. I havent personally witnessed or experienced a gay bashing but a good friend of mine was a victim of one. I’m only gay myself and have had to deal with alot of stuff such as being looked at and talked about by other random people i’ve encountered. I’m only 19 so people around my age weird and some arent understanding when it comes to bashing such as yours. Thanks for writing this article so that others may view and hear of this horrible thing that happens alot around the world. Hopefully it will open the eyes for others and change opinions. Thanks again!
Matticus
rick
after reading all the anti-st. martin/sint maarten comments, including some from people who have never been here, i am appalled.
one beating, two injured men who happen to be journalists and the gay and lesbian groups and individuals want to boycott st. martin.
if you are so hot on this boycott business, which could cost some jobs and make a lot of children go to bed hungry, all you civil-minded liberals, why not tackle some of the big enemies. if you have the guts, go after jamaica…too big for you, huh? There being gay or being caught in a homosexual act means jailtime.
i live on st. martin. grew up in the states. and the people here are far better, far more honest, far more spiritual and far more understanding than the vast majority of the people who posted hate messages against my island on your website.
i have this suggestion to make. if you happen to be homosexual or lesbian, do what most heterosexuals do…save the hot and heavy stuff for the bedroom. don’t do it in a bar at midnight, in front of a people whose culture for the most part does not accept it. to the locals, the conduct of those two gay men in front of their women was a huge american insult. most people would have talked it out. island people are different. they act.
vin
Why dont you get your facts straight before opening your big trap. Ryan and his partner were NOT going at it at the bar. They were hugging since Ryan had tragically lost a cousin and was telling his partner about it. One thing you say is correct. Island people are different…SLOW!!!
Joan
BOYCOTT ST. MARTIN PERIOD.
Carly
I’ve been to St Maarten and loved it, but unfortunately will not go back until this is repaired. I also refuse to go to Jamaica, even though I have acquaintances who live there and would give me free lodging. I will not give my gay American dollars to people who hate me. So St Maarten (et St Martin) can go rot until they grow up.
rick
carly,
i could not have said it better myself. sint maarten/st. martin is much overcrowded with too many cars, too many people and not enough island space. the locals, meaning the islanders, are being crowded out by internationalists with nothing but money and time on their hands, while the locals are struggling to eke out a living.
stay home, carly. or better yet, visit one of the other caribbean islands with your gay dollars. they need your help, and we don’t. thank you for coming up with a partial solution to our problems on st. martin. your absence will not be missed.
geno laurenzi
i want to commend this site for its fairness. you include comments from heterosexuals such as myself along with comments from homosexuals.
i live in st. martin and love this fragile little island. reallyl, the gays and lesbians who denounce my great little island without understanding its nature are doing themselves and your organizations a great disservice.
it’s true our police move slow. sadly true. but hey, mon, this is the caribbean, the land of milk, rum, honey, jamaican weed and whatever else goes along to lift your spirit.
nobody i know in his or her right mind condoned what happened to those cbs guys. homosexual or straight, it shouldn’t have happened. but gay or straight, attacks do happen in bars. we on st. martin are wondering what prompted the rage, if the attackers were on drugs or what. when the case comes out in court, we will all be listening to the testimony with care.
come to st. martin if you want. let our island breezes embrace you. feel the warm fragrance of our flowers. be yourselves and be prepared to let us be ourselves. we are st. martin.
ROB WEST
G LAURENZI YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE IDIOT! WHAT A BUNCH OF BULLS—-! I KNOW THAT ST MAARTEN POLICE DEPARTMENT IS INCOMPETENT. I KNOW THAT VIOLENCE, MURDERS AND CRIME ARE RAMPANT IN ST MAARTEN. I KNOW THAT THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE FRENCH AND DUTCH SIDE. I KNOW THAT IT IS NOT SAFE ON ST MAARTEN. I KNOW THAT A VICTIM OF A HATE CRIME IS NOT TO BLAME. I KNOW THAT HALF YOU READ IN THE MEDIA IS INCORRECT. INDEED, G LAURENZI, YOU ARE AN IDIOT!