"We were attacked because we were holding hands."
Last Sunday evening, Brad Forkner and Christopher Rosevear were walking hand-in-hand when they noticed several men behind them who were laughing and pointing.
As Forkner and Roevear walked from the bridge to the trail toward the East Bank Esplanade, the men pushed and punched Forkner, then hit Rosevear in the head, face, back and ribs before they escaped.
One week after two men holding hands were attacked, supporters have decided to gather at the Hawthorne Bridge in Portland to call attention to the violent incident.
In response to this hate crime, organizers are holding a "Hands Across Hawthorne Bridge - Holding Hands, In Solidarity" rally this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the west end of the Hawthorne Bridge. Supporters will link hands together and span the entire length of the bridge.
Help Prevent Gay Bashings: Donate to the Q Patrol
After gay bashings in downtown Portland a year ago, the Q Center (working with local authorities) started the Q Patrol—a group of trained volunteers who walk the streets of Portland to promote safety and tolerance. Police have found these citizen foot patrols have a “calming effect” on city streets.
Even if you are not near Portland, you can help prevent future violence by donating to the Q Patrol. Please consider making a donation so they can train more volunteers and scale-up this important public safety program.
Use the Hashtag #handsacrosshawthorne on Twitter
In order to help spread the word to the world that we won't tolerate hate in Oregon, Progressive Oregon has created a hashtag #handsacrosshawthorne that can be used on Twitter and other social networks.