Gay Couple Attacked in D.C.

[Hiems]

One of the victims, Roike, a yoga instructor, needs surgery, since the injuries were that severe. The video news report said that he kept positive energy despite the attack. Roike stated he won't be able to do handstands for awhile...

He reminded me of the amputee that appeared on the Ellen show. Both of them became physically debilitated through very different means, but they still kept a sense of humor. Hopefully the police will catch the attackers.

Michael Roike And Michael Joel Hall Jr, D.C. Gay Couple, Attacked In Alleged Hate Crime

A gay D.C. man underwent surgery this week after he and his partner were injured in a violent attack that local authorities are investigating as a hate crime.

Michael Roike tells NBC Washington that he and his boyfriend Michael Joel Hall Jr. were walking home July 22 when they were ambushed by about five teenagers in the Eckington section of Washington, D.C. "Four or five kids just came out of nowhere without any warning,” Roike recalled. “We didn’t think it was a robbery because they didn’t immediately ask for something. They just came out swinging and hitting."

Hall, a 29-year-old yoga instructor, suffered a broken cheekbone and other facial injuries. Roike took a string of hits trying to protect Hall, though his injuries were considerably less severe, according to Fox 5 WTTG.

Though he did not specify whether or not he believed it was a hate crime, Roike also told NBC Washington, "We were probably holding hands. It could have been because we’re gay, but I don’t know for sure."

Roike also hoped to thank an unidentified woman whom he says came out of her home during the attack and began shouting at the assailants, who then fled the scene. "This lady, our guardian angel, came out of her house with her boyfriend,'' he told Metro Weekly. ''They put us in her car and drove us back to our house. I have no idea who she was, just a guardian angel. She saved us. Whoever she is, I want her to know we're really thankful.''

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told LGBTQ Nation that no suspects have been identified thus far.

Fox 5 WTTG noted that Hall currently has no health insurance, but friends and students have since set up a Facebook page and are holding a fundraiser to help cover his hospital costs.

Click here to view the Facebook page.

[Fugs]

That's horrible I hope those bastard kids get caught.

[Night Rain]

Originally Posted by Fugs

That's horrible I hope those bastard kids get caught.

I doubt it, but if those kids are prone to violence like that, they probably won't go far in life.

[AshenAngel]

Awwh, this just breaks my heart. :'( why would anyone do something like that? It's horrible. I hope all of them get caught aand punished. This is so wrong...

[Super Girl]

It's impossible to get used to the idea that this is something that actually happens. It's just unbelievable. The fact that the victims have such positive attitudes is really inspiring.

[Bobbgooduk]

It shocks me that there are people out there who think it's acceptable to treat ANYBODY like this, gay or straight.

Whether or not they were attacked because they were gay, several kids have grown up with the idea in their mind that they can do this.

I just hope they are caught and made to realize that they cannot go through the rest of their lives showing so little respect for their fellow humans.

It worried me too that these people might end up oushing my wheelchair round when I'm in the carehome!!!

---------- Post added 24th Jul 2012 at 10:21 PM ----------

pushing!

[SohoDreamer]

This is so horrific.. I hope the couple will be okay. I don't know how anyone could do such a thing. Ugh, people can be so evil sometimes..