Gay Bashing In ’frisco Rising (Press, 22 January 1986)

In January 1986, the case of John Dennis O'Connell, a gay activist who died following a violent attack in San Francisco, drew significant attention to the rising incidents of violence against homosexuals in the city. O'Connell was assaulted by a group of men who targeted him specifically because of his sexual orientation, resulting in his death ten days later from a severe concussion after his head struck the curb during the attack. This incident has been described as part of a disturbing trend of "gay bashing," which advocates and police have been trying to combat despite apparent increases in such violence. Authorities recorded at least 237 violent attacks against homosexuals in San Francisco in the previous year, according to a local gay rights group. Paul Seidler, the police liaison with the gay community, pointed out that many of the assailants were not from the city and came specifically to target homosexuals. The assaults sometimes stemmed from a broader resentment against the gay community within the local population, with some perpetrators blaming homosexuals for the AIDS epidemic. Randy Schell, a counsellor with Community United Against Violence, shared the fear experienced by many in the gay community, highlighting that the perception of homosexuals as weak and easy victims was gradually changing, as more individuals began to resist their attackers and pursue legal action. In the O'Connell case, the four men responsible for his murder were given significant prison sentences after being convicted of second-degree murder and other assaults carried out that night, emphasizing the seriousness of the crimes committed in a "homophobic rage." The assailants, aged 21 to 23, had travelled from Vallejo, California, with the intent to attack gay men and were described by witnesses shouting slurs before the assault on O'Connell. After attacking him, they continued their spree, assaulting three other men they suspected to be homosexuals, with one suffering severe injuries requiring stitches. Despite increased awareness and some prosecutions, many attacks against members of the gay community go unreported due to fear and embarrassment, as noted by Carmen Vazquez, a statistician for Community United Against Violence. The increase in reported assaults—from 149 in the first nine months of 1984 to 237 in the same period in 1985—indicates a troubling rise in violence, further compounding the challenges faced by those in the LGBTQ+ community in San Francisco. The issue of violent assaults targeting homosexuals remains a significant concern, raising questions about public safety and the need for continued advocacy and protection for vulnerable groups.

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