Gay community upset over hate crimes

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Two separate New Year's assaults, one in the suburbs and one in Buffalo, appear to have one thing in common: a victim targeted for being gay.

A News 4 camera was there New Year's morning at about 2 a.m. outside of Roxy's bar on Main Street. 29-year-old Lindsay Harmon was stabbed in the eye after leaving the gay nightclub. She says she was with a friend minding her own business when two other women shouted gay slurs and attacked them.

But Buffalo Police tell News 4 they can't be sure this is a hate crime until they talk to the suspect. They say witnesses told them that Lindsay was with a group of three arguing before the attacker even came.

Marie Lates knows the victim and says she would never start trouble.

Lates said, "It's inconsolable what happened to Lindsay. She's a beautiful woman inside and out and we all pray for her."

Those gathered at Adonia's, another local gay bar, watched the news about this attack and another attack last Thursday at the Walden Galleria, where a gay man was attacked by two women who were arrested on hate crime charges.

Curly, one bar patron, said, "All of a sudden it's happening. Maybe they're robbing us or mugging us, but I think a lot of it is gay bashing too."

The owner of Adonia's nightclub, Yvonne White, said, "I've been around for a long time and the community as a whole is wonderful, absolutely wonderful, and for this to occur in this day in age is really appalling."

White plans to hold a fundraiser to either help the victim or start a reward fund to help catch the woman who attacked Lindsay Harmon.

"I'm convinced if there is a reward, within hours, she'll be arrested and in jail where she belongs," said Lates.

Police are looking for a young white woman who looked about 19. She was wearing a pink tiara on New Year's Eve. Anyone with information is asked to call the 847-2255. That spells out TIPCALL.