The GLLU, MPD’s Gay and Lesbian Liason Unit, serves the District’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender communities. Last week in police activity related to the GLBT community—including details about the apparent hate crime at the Hong Kong Delite Carry Out —below.
* Anti-gay club. On Thursday, Dec. 4, a Rhode Island Ave. NE club owner contacted the GLLU for "advice regarding neighborhood relations." The owner had "received a couple of complaints from area residents." She thought the complaints stemmed from the patrons being gay. The owner was referred to the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration.
* Hate crime to go. At 10:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008, police responded to a carryout restaurant at the 3100 block of Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. SE. They found two victims. They had "visible injuries." They said they were walking past the restaurant when they "became engaged in a verbal dispute with a group of juveniles." They used homophobic epithets. They assaulted them with a knife. One "suffered multiple stab wounds." One was injured in the lip. The two suspects are described as: A black male, "5’8, 160lbs, medium complexion, early 20’s, wearing a black North Face jacket and blue jeans" and a black male, "5’3, 180lbs, dark complexion, early 20’s, wearing a black hooded sweat shirt and blue jeans."
* Low-class transit. On Dec. 6, a man e-mailed the GLLU to ask for help for a friend. On Monday, Dec. 1, the friend was "verbally berated" by a group of juveniles outside the Takoma Park Metro Station. The group "used homophobic language." The Metro Transit Police Department is currently investigating the matter.
* Speed racers. At 2:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 8, police stopped two speeding vehicles racing down U Street. The drivers—two adult women—were arrested and charged with "reckless driving." Their excuse? "[T]hey were speeding because they had been verbally abused at a club . . . and called homophobic names."
Photo by ginnerobot.