Weekend Attack Spotlights Hate Crimes Law

ST. LOUIS - News Chanel 5 (KSDK) reported tonight on a possible hate crime, Nov. 28, involving three men assaulted outside of the Complex nightclub on Chouteau Ave. because they were perceived to be gay.

According to the report, which featured a brief interview with Vital Voice publisher, Darin Slyman, the three friends were leaving the rear of the popular nightclub early Saturday morning when they were verbally taunted, called "faggots" and physically assaulted by four men leaving a neighboring bar which shares the same parking lot.

Reporter Anne Rubin featured an interview with one of the victims who states he and his friends sustained injuries which included a cut eye, concussion, broken nose and fractured cheekbone between them. It is Vital Voice policy not to publish the names of violent crime victims, particularly in advance of conducting our own interviews.

Complex security and St. Louis Police responded to the attack. Police are presently looking for the four men who reportedly drove away in a black SUV with Illinois plates. Authorities are also investigating whether this meets the criteria of a hate crime, which would allow for harsher penalties and sentencing guidelines.

Missouri was one of the first states to include both sexual orientation and gender identity protections in its 1999 Hate Crimes Law signed by Gov. Mel Carnahan. The new Federal Hate Crimes Law, which was signed by President Obama in October, offers similar protections.

A recent FBI report states that hate crimes against gays and religious groups increased sharply in 2008. The figures show a nearly 11 percent increase in hate crime offenses based on sexual orientation, and a nearly 9 percent increase in hate crime offenses based on religion.

The Vital Voice will continue to monitor this story and bring you updates when warranted.

If you have any information in this case contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS.