DAYTON -- Police are investigating a possible hate crime involving a gay man.
Detectives said a 20-year-old victim was punched, kicked and called anti-gay names behind the Therapy Cafe on East Third Street. The assault happened about 3 a.m. Tuesday.
"I know the victim. He is a fine young man, certainly not deserving of this," John Gantt said. Gantt is the former executive director of the LGBT Center of Dayton. He's also a board member of the Human Relations Council.
Gantt is disappointed to learn of the possible hate crime and even more saddened to know it was one of his friends who was possibly targeted because he is gay.
"It's unfortunate that these things happen," he said.
Police said the victim was able to get away from his attacker, but wasn't able to give police a good description.
Gantt said with several gay bars downtown, Dayton may seem like a gay- friendly city, but said gay hate crimes happen all the time.
"I know other gay people that have been robbed. People target gay bars to rob people that come out off bars thinking they are easy targets because of their sexual orientation."
Tuesday's possible hate crime will be investigated by the Human Relations Council. Gannt said if police find the suspect, he could be prosecuted and face a more serious felony charge instead of a misdemeanor assault charge.
"The attack happened within the city of Dayton, with the Human Relations Council, that makes it possible for us to investigate it as a possible hate crime."
Detectives said a 20-year-old victim was punched, kicked and called anti-gay names behind the Therapy Cafe on East Third Street. The assault happened about 3 a.m. Tuesday.
"I know the victim. He is a fine young man, certainly not deserving of this," John Gantt said. Gantt is the former executive director of the LGBT Center of Dayton. He's also a board member of the Human Relations Council.
Gantt is disappointed to learn of the possible hate crime and even more saddened to know it was one of his friends who was possibly targeted because he is gay.
"It's unfortunate that these things happen," he said.
Police said the victim was able to get away from his attacker, but wasn't able to give police a good description.
Gantt said with several gay bars downtown, Dayton may seem like a gay- friendly city, but said gay hate crimes happen all the time.
"I know other gay people that have been robbed. People target gay bars to rob people that come out off bars thinking they are easy targets because of their sexual orientation."
Tuesday's possible hate crime will be investigated by the Human Relations Council. Gannt said if police find the suspect, he could be prosecuted and face a more serious felony charge instead of a misdemeanor assault charge.
"The attack happened within the city of Dayton, with the Human Relations Council, that makes it possible for us to investigate it as a possible hate crime."
