Woman charged with New Year hate crime

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - A woman is now charged with a hate crime, after a New Year's Day stabbing, outside a gay and lesbian bar in Buffalo.

Lindsay Harmon is still recovering emotionally and physically from a vicious New Year's Day attack outside Roxy's bar on Main Street in Buffalo.

"She's not gonna win," said victim Lindsay Harmon.

Harmon is talking about the woman who stabbed her in the eye. Buffalo Police arrested 21-year-old Suzanne Grover and charged her with a hate crime.

"I think it makes us feel we will be taken seriously," said Jimmy Hill.

Members of Buffalo's gay and lesbian community are speaking out as news of the arrest makes it way through the community. Jimmy Hill manages Cathode Ray on Allen Street, a short distance from Roxy's.

"This was tragic but it could have been much worse. She could have died," said Hill.

Harmon says she was leaving Roxy's early New Year's day and was taunted and attacked because she's a lesbian. Since then, the community has rallied to support her while calling for justice.

"I think it sets the precedent that Buffalo, New York won't tolerate this," said Yvonne White.

Yvonne White owns Adonia's bar and has helped organize events to rally support for Lindsay and raise awareness about gay issues. Michael Rizzo is a bartender at Adonia's and says the arrest validates concerns held by members of the community.

Rizzo said, "Everybody questioned what makes something a hate crime. Was it really a hate crime or just someone just getting beat up on the street? I think this solidifies that we've known what we've been talking about."