Anti-gay assault in Flagstaff, Arizona

Equality Arizona responded today to an apparent bias-motivated attack on several lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people early Sunday morning. The incident involved staff and volunteers of Equality Arizona, the statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization.

At least two individuals were treated for injuries at a local hospital after a group of men shouting anti-gay slurs began assaulting several people who had gathered at a street corner, where they were waiting for cabs following a celebration during the weekend pride festivities.

One of the injured, Michel Brown, was with Equality Arizona Public Affairs Director Sam Holdren, Public Affairs Intern Steven Tran and Generation Equality member David Encizo. Tran and Encizo were in the crowd when the attacks began, but were not physically injured. Holdren was steps away, returning to the scene to find Brown lying unconscious and bleeding.

The incident has already begun to have an impact on the local community, who hours earlier had been at the Pride in the Pines festival. At the festival, newly-elected Flagstaff Mayor Sara Presler-Hoefle had issued a proclamation, declaring that day Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Day in the city of Flagstaff calling "upon the all city residents, employees and volunteers to participate in the spirit and activities of this day."

Equality Arizona Executive Director Barbara McCullough-Jones issued the following statement today: "The news of this attack is deeply disturbing. On a day when all of Flagstaff should have been celebrating and embracing diversity, this brutal attack has reminded us all that there is still much work to be done to prevent anti-gay bias from escalating into violence."

We are grateful for the immediate and efficient response of the Flagstaff Police Department and emergency responders. Along with the hospital staff, these professionals demonstrated great respect for the victims during this traumatic time."

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. We stand with them and the Flagstaff community in calling for justice in this case. Equality Arizona will continue to partner with city leaders to create an environment where everyone who visits, lives or works in Flagstaff is safe and free from bias and discrimination, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity/expression."