Feeling safe on the streets:

Alternative lifestyles community speaks out on 'hate crime'

Feb. 26, 2004, 12:56 AM

Natalie Alcoba
The Hamilton Spectator

Janet Ferguson considered peeling the rainbow sticker off her car when she heard about the brutal weekend attack on a gay man.

The transsexual woman said she has often been victimized because of her sexual identity: the word "queer" has been spray painted on her vehicle and strangers have made derogatory comments on the street. The slashing of Ronn Mattai, owner of the Junction Cafe on King William Street, made her fear for her own safety.

In the end, she decided against removing the sticker.

"I don't want to not be proud of who I am," said the 50-year-old yesterday after a public meeting at Central Police station.

About 100 people, most from the city's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community, attended the meeting called by Police Chief Brian Mullan yesterday to address concerns about what police are calling a hate biased attack on a gay man.

An attacker slashed Mattai's face with a beer glass in the basement of the Absinthe bar on King Street East early Saturday morning. Police said the man lured Mattai into a cloak room by asking for help lifting something.

Police have described the incident as an unprovoked "hate crime" and said Mattai was targeted because he is gay.

A 20-year-old man was arrested and remains in custody charged with aggravated assault.

It is unclear what events led to the slashing. Mullan assured the community that the investigation is a priority.

Mayor Larry Di Ianni announced he has called a meeting of the Strengthening Hamilton's Community Initiative to look at ways in which the city can respond to this type of crime, specifically through education.

Last year there were 45 reported hate-motivated crimes in the city. Of those, 22 people were targeted because of their race, 10 because of their religion, and two because of their sexual orientation. But the point of yesterday's meeting was to hear from the community, and slowly, people opened up.

There was a sense of universal regret that such an attack could be directed toward any resident of Hamilton.

There was also a tinge of sadness in the air as stories were shared about personal attacks.

"I will not walk half a block down my street," said one transsexual woman, who moved from Toronto two years ago and said she has been victimized many times.

Some people admitted to having resigned themselves years ago to being victims of intimidation.

There was anger and a call for action.

Damien Dommer, owner of The Werx, an alternative lifestyles club, said people are shocked, but not gripped with fear.

"I can honestly say to you, there really hasn't been an overwhelming fear," said Dommer.

Many community members identified education as a key tool to stopping hate crime before it starts.

The meeting ended with a statement from Mattai, read by Susan Richards, from the Victims Services Branch.

Richards said Mattai was grateful to the public for their kind words and police for their investigation.

She said he has not completely absorbed what happened to him, and is dealing with the emotional consequences of the attack. "(Mattai) has never denied his sexuality to anyone and is proud of it," said Richards. "But above all, there is a human first that he wants everyone to remember."

nalcoba@thespec.com
905-526-2409