If there’s any night a dude can feel comfortable in a heel — at least psychologically if not necessarily physically — it’s Halloween. But three fierce friends from Portland, Oregon were attacked on that Hallowed Eve for dressing in drag by a group of people shouting homophobic slurs.
The attack took place around 2 a.m. in southwest Portland, when a group of about five people began verbally assaulting Dustin Miller, Joey Malone and Curtis Hughes. Things soon escalated to violence and at one point, someone pulled a knife.
“He swung it at my stomach and then swung it back up at my face,” Malone told KATU. To defend himself, Malone used the only weapons he had — his heels; he kicked off his stilettos and fended off the attackers. “I was going to defend myself no matter what.”
Thanks to the heels and some cyclists passing by, the attackers ran off, leaving their victims bruised, bloody and bewildered: they knew their outfits would be provocative, but they never expected to be attacked over them. Though the three men filed a police report, they know there’s little hope their attackers will be caught.
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On a brighter note, the men have heard from hundreds of supporters online and Malone, who lost a tooth in the incident, received a free temporary fix from a local dentist. Grateful for the support, the trio — according to sassy KATU reporter Emily Sinovic — wanted to let “those haters out there know they’re not going to let fear change who they are for a second.”
niles
They need to learn a bit of common sense – and maybe stop acting like common trollops.
QJ201
@niles:
Blame the victim. Fuck you troll.
Now go jerk off.
Cam
@niles:
Trollops? What either you are 80 years old or just stepped out of a time Machine. Senator McCain, is that you?
Dxley
I thought Gaga said “don’t be a drag, just be a queen”. Why do these guys dress as women? I’m really sorry about what happened to them but dragging is a turn-off!
hephaestion
WTF? These comments on a gay web site blaming the VICTIMS are a shock.
It’s also shocking that this attack took place in Portland, Oregon.
queertyreader
I also think that the comment by Niles should be deleted. I’m not for censorship but this is more than offensive – blaming the victims of a hate crime!
balehead
They sounded mean and drunk…
Stache1
The 2 moronic commenters above need to understand this was “HALLOWEEN” and that people dress up. They don’t deserve to be violently attacked for it.
“Violently Attacked For Wearing Drag On Halloween”
Gigi Gee
@niles: So they deserved it? You’re a jerk.
Gigi Gee
@Cam: Misses the “trollops” bit. Jesus.
Paulette
@Dxley: @Dxley:
So all Halloween costumes have to turn you on, do they?
hotshot70
anyone who thought those guys deserved to be attacked, meet me in dark alley. I am friends with a HUGE drag comunity, and believe me, you do not wanna receive a “blanket” party.
Snapper59
“”It’s also shocking that this attack took place in Portland, Oregon.””
Why? When I read about this elsewhere many of the comments from Portland resident’s weren’t surprised at all, saying it’s a violent city.
LandStander
@Snapper59: The reason that it is shocking is that Portland, Oregon is one of the most gay-friendly cities in the country. However, it is also true that it is a high-crime city.
Kangol
How horrible, but I’m glad they’re mostly okay. I hope the cops find the creeps who attacked them.
tdx3fan
@LandStander: NYC is also one of the most gay-friendly cities in the country, and there have been many more attacks there than anywhere else. Its funny how when there was an attack in Cleveland that we actually had people from NYC bitching about how that city treats its gays while not shining a light in their own backyard.
Billysees
The attack happened around 2 a.m. the article states.
Could that have meant they were exiting or near a bar ?
If so, then maybe the bar owners should consider having some watch-people nearby their establishments to keep an eye on customers for their safety.
This wouldn’t be a cure all but it might help.
barkomatic
@Dxley: You’re either a troll or a self-hating gay man that is insecure about his masculinity.
Sebizzar
This is ridiculous and I hope the attackers get caught! Halloween is about having fun and the day of the year where you’re kinda supposed to BE ANYTHING BUT YOURSELF so I don’t get people who complain about those who do drag as a costume.
heydavis
It’s sad that nobody in the vicinity had the smarts to use their cell phone cameras (sans flash) to capture mugshots of the thugs!