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Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pride is not just a parade — it's a fight for survival
Opinion This weekend, when you think of Pride, spare a moment to think about Kady Grass. Just two weeks ago, the 19-year-old was beaten severely by five men as she left the bathroom of a McDonald's restaurant in a suburb outside Chicago with her 13-year-old niece. Witnesses and closed-circuit video cameras confirmed that the attackers used homophobic taunts and insults right before the attack. Grass was beaten unconscious and suffered a broken nose. Two of the men who attacked her — one 19, one 16 — have been charged with a variety of offences including one count of perpetrating a hate crime. Mike Sudoma / Free Press files Violent hate crimes and the legal persecution of LGBTTQ+ people is a growing, global phenomenon. 'They attacked me because I like women,' Grass said in a social media post. 'All I did was exist that day. I went to go spend time with my family, and then, I was brutally attacked. There was nothing I did to deserve that.' The key statement is Grass' acknowledgement that she was attacked simply because she existed. That is something we all need to keep in mind as we enter the final weekend of Pride festivities here in Manitoba because, in case you hadn't heard, the very existence of LGBTTQ+ people here, across Canada, all over North America and across the world is under attack. In 2023, even as the incidence of overall violent crime was going down, Statistics Canada reported that hate crimes against LGBTTQ+ people had gone up 70 per cent. It's not just a blip; since 2016, hate crimes targeting sexual orientation have gone up by nearly 400 per cent. In the United States, the situation is similar in some ways, worse in others. The 2023 National Crime Victimization Survey found that LGBTTQ+ people were five times more likely to be a victim of violence than non-LGBTTQ+ people, and nine times more likely to be the victim of a hate crime. It's also not just a North American phenomenon. Violent hate crimes and the legal persecution of LGBTTQ+ people is a growing, global phenomenon. Just about every entity that tracks these incidents believes only half of all attacks are reported to authorities. Human Dignity Trust, a U.K.-based organization that advocates for legal protections for LGBTTQ+ all over the world, said 65 countries consider same-sex relationships to be illegal, 12 of those countries allow the death penalty as the maximum sentence. Of those that consider it illegal, 41 countries have criminalized 'private, consensual sexual activity between women.' Why the spike in hate and violence directed at LGBTTQ+ people? It's complicated but not impossible to discern. Compassion and empathy have been in short supply since the worst, early days of the pandemic. That, in turn, has helped ignite a global rise in far-right populism which holds, as one of its core principles, the desire to suppress, possibly erase, the existence of LGBTTQ+ people. It's not bleak everywhere in the world. In fact, while attacks on LGBTTQ+ people are escalating in Canada, this country can still claim a place on the forefront of this critical human rights issue. It's visible in gestures such as Manitoba's NDP government holding what very well could be the first Pride drag show inside a provincial legislative building. Two notable local drag queens performed in the rotunda outside the legislative chamber to a raucous crowd of Pride supporters. 'This is the people's building,' Premier Wab Kinew told those in attendance. 'I hope you always feel welcome here.' Tributes should also be extended to Canada's federal government. Love in a Dangerous Time, a poignant exhibit about the threats faced by Canada's LGBTTQ+ community that was created for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg was transported to Canada's breathtaking embassy in Washington, D.C. Taking this exhibit to Washington — ground zero in an aggressive anti-LGBTTQ+ campaign by the Trump administration — is a pretty courageous act by Ottawa. The exhibit will be in the embassy, which has a panoramic view of the U.S. Capitol buildings, until August 29. In a more perfect world, gestures such as this would not necessarily be required. But in this day and age, Pride celebrations are still essential largely because the world has become a harder and more dangerous place for LGBTTQ+ people. It would be easy to see Pride just as another cultural event, disconnected from any serious societal issues. In reality, the origins of 'Pride' can be found in violent attacks and persecution on the LGBTTQ+ community in the U.S. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. Pride has always been framed as a celebration, and with good reason. But in its earliest days, it was a courageous act of defiance against the legal and political systems that endorsed unmitigated violence and persecution. So, this weekend, it would be a great gesture if we all paid tribute to the origins of Pride, while keeping in mind the reason it exists. Most non-LGBTTQ+ people, when they hear the term 'Pride,' will almost automatically think 'parade.' When you hear the word 'Pride' this year, think 'survival.' Dan LettColumnist Dan Lett is a columnist for the Free Press, providing opinion and commentary on politics in Winnipeg and beyond. Born and raised in Toronto, Dan joined the Free Press in 1986. Read more about Dan. Dan's columns are built on facts and reactions, but offer his personal views through arguments and analysis. The Free Press' editing team reviews Dan's columns before they are posted online or published in print — part of the our tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Suspects who allegedly attacked woman in McDonald's because of her sexual orientation face hate crime charges
Two males, including one juvenile, are facing hate crime charges after allegedly physically attacking a 19-year-old woman and calling her "derogatory" names at a McDonald's in Illinois, according to the Kane County State's Attorney's Office. The incident occurred on May 13, when police responded to a report of a fight at a McDonald's in Carpentersville, Illinois, which is about an hour outside of Chicago. Once on the scene, officials determined the incident "involved an aggravated battery against a female victim," Carpentersville Police Department said. The female victim, 19-year-old Kady Grass, told ABC News the attack, which led to her suffering a broken nose and bruises on her shoulders, was based on her sexual orientation. "Even if they don't agree with the LGBTQ community, they have no right to make it physical or bully you into something. There was no right to do this to me just because they didn't like that I date women instead of men," Grass told ABC News last week. One of the suspects involved in the attack, 19-year-old John Kammrad, was arrested on May 17, and the juvenile — whose "identify is being withheld in accordance with state laws protecting minors' privacy" — turned himself in to police on May 16, officials said. On Tuesday, the state's attorney's office announced that Kammrad was charged with three counts of aggravated battery, mob action and a hate crime. The juvenile was also charged with a hate crime, in addition to mob action and aggravated battery charges, prosecutors said. MORE: Woman speaks out after alleged homophobic attack at McDonald's in Illinois "Everyone deserves to feel safe in public spaces, and no one should be attacked because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, as is alleged in this case. We must make it clear that Kane County is a community that welcomes all," the county State's Attorney Jamie Mosser said in a statement. Grass said the attack began when she and her 13-year-old cousin were grabbing food at the McDonald's and Grass decided to use the bathroom. Both the restroom stalls were full, so she walked out right away, when one boy out of a group of three began calling her a derogatory name, she told ABC News. She said she "mumbled" under her breath but walked away and told her cousin to "not give them another reason to talk to us." One of the boys, the juvenile who was later charged, approached Grass again, saying they "wanted to fight" her and they should "take it outside," she said. Grass said she then proceeded to go outside the McDonald's, but "no one came out." MORE: Hate crimes, particularly against LGBTQ community, on the rise: FBI data When she returned inside to her cousin, she told Grass she overheard the males and said "they have a gun and they are going to kill you." Grass later found out that it was an "empty threat" as police did not find a gun in the suspects' possession. Kammrad then approached Grass and said, "You're a woman, you're not tough," to which Grass replied: "I know I'm a woman, I'm a lesbian," she told ABC News. She said she then looked at the juvenile, who "had this look in his eyes" and began to smile at her. "I had a bad feeling about what was going to happen," Grass said. Kammrad proceeded to get close to Grass, so she placed her hand on his chest to signal he should "keep his distance," she said. MORE: Police seeking assailant who allegedly used anti-gay slur in NYC subway attack The confrontation then escalated into a physical fight, with one male punching her in the front and the other hitting her in the back, she said. A manager at the McDonald's attempted to break up the fight, but he also "got hit in the process," Grass said. In an attempt to protect herself, Grass closed her eyes and fell to the ground, which led to the two males stomping on her head, causing her to become unconscious, she said. "They were trying to kill me," Grass said last week. She sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where "she was treated and subsequently released," police said. Grass told ABC News Chicago station WLS on Tuesday that she was "fighting really hard for these hate crime charges." Kammrad's plea setting is scheduled for June 27 at 9 a.m., according to court records. He is currently being held in the DuPage County Jail for "separate, unrelated charges," officials said. It was not immediately clear whether Kammrad has appointed an attorney who can speak on his behalf. Suspects who allegedly attacked woman in McDonald's because of her sexual orientation face hate crime charges originally appeared on
6 days ago
Suspects who allegedly attacked woman in McDonald's because of her sexual orientation face hate crime charges
Two males, including one juvenile, are facing hate crime charges after allegedly physically attacking a 19-year-old woman and calling her "derogatory" names at a McDonald's in Illinois, according to the Kane County State's Attorney's Office. The incident occurred on May 13, when police responded to a report of a fight at a McDonald's in Carpentersville, Illinois, which is about an hour outside of Chicago. Once on the scene, officials determined the incident "involved an aggravated battery against a female victim," Carpentersville Police Department said. The female victim, 19-year-old Kady Grass, told ABC News the attack, which led to her suffering a broken nose and bruises on her shoulders, was based on her sexual orientation. "Even if they don't agree with the LGBTQ community, they have no right to make it physical or bully you into something. There was no right to do this to me just because they didn't like that I date women instead of men," Grass told ABC News last week. One of the suspects involved in the attack, 19-year-old John Kammrad, was arrested on May 17, and the juvenile — whose "identify is being withheld in accordance with state laws protecting minors' privacy" — turned himself in to police on May 16, officials said. On Tuesday, the state's attorney's office announced that Kammrad was charged with three counts of aggravated battery, mob action and a hate crime. The juvenile was also charged with a hate crime, in addition to mob action and aggravated battery charges, prosecutors said. "Everyone deserves to feel safe in public spaces, and no one should be attacked because of their gender identity or sexual orientation, as is alleged in this case. We must make it clear that Kane County is a community that welcomes all," the county State's Attorney Jamie Mosser said in a statement. Grass said the attack began when she and her 13-year-old cousin were grabbing food at the McDonald's and Grass decided to use the bathroom. Both the restroom stalls were full, so she walked out right away, when one boy out of a group of three began calling her a derogatory name, she told ABC News. She said she "mumbled" under her breath but walked away and told her cousin to "not give them another reason to talk to us." One of the boys, the juvenile who was later charged, approached Grass again, saying they "wanted to fight" her and they should "take it outside," she said. Grass said she then proceeded to go outside the McDonald's, but "no one came out." When she returned inside to her cousin, she told Grass she overheard the males and said "they have a gun and they are going to kill you." Grass later found out that it was an "empty threat" as police did not find a gun in the suspects' possession. Kammrad then approached Grass and said, "You're a woman, you're not tough," to which Grass replied: "I know I'm a woman, I'm a lesbian," she told ABC News. She said she then looked at the juvenile, who "had this look in his eyes" and began to smile at her. "I had a bad feeling about what was going to happen," Grass said. Kammrad proceeded to get close to Grass, so she placed her hand on his chest to signal he should "keep his distance," she said. The confrontation then escalated into a physical fight, with one male punching her in the front and the other hitting her in the back, she said. A manager at the McDonald's attempted to break up the fight, but he also "got hit in the process," Grass said. In an attempt to protect herself, Grass closed her eyes and fell to the ground, which led to the two males stomping on her head, causing her to become unconscious, she said. "They were trying to kill me," Grass said last week. She sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where "she was treated and subsequently released," police said. Grass told ABC News Chicago station WLS on Tuesday that she was "fighting really hard for these hate crime charges." Kammrad's plea setting is scheduled for June 27 at 9 a.m., according to court records. He is currently being held in the DuPage County Jail for "separate, unrelated charges," officials said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lesbian teen brutally beaten at Illinois McDonald's
Two teenagers, one a juvenile, brutally beat a 19-year-old woman inside a suburban McDonald's after making derogatory comments about her sexual orientation, according to local police. The May 13 incident occurred at the fast food chain's location in Carpentersville, Illinois, about 40 miles from Chicago, with officers responding to a report of a fight in progress, according to news release from the Carpentersville Police Department. The victim, who was later identified as Kady Grass, sustained severe injuries and was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated and has since been released. Following an investigation, the Kane County State's Attorney's Office approved multiple felony charges against the suspects, according to police. John Kammrad, 19, was charged with aggravated battery, great bodily harm, aggravated battery in a public place, mob action and more. Kammrad was taken into custody on Saturday, while the juvenile suspect turned himself in on Friday. Photos posted to a GoFundMe account for Grass show the extent of her injuries, which span her face and her legs. In an interview with NBC Chicago, Grass said the attack happened while she was in town to see her 13-year-old cousin's choir concert. 'One hit me in the jaw and one was hitting me in the front, and then I didn't realize that I was getting hit behind until a little bit later, like it took me a while to realize,' Grass said. 'I was unconscious when they were stomping on my head, so I don't remember that part, but my 13-year-old cousin does.' Carpentersville Police Deputy Chief Kevin Stankowitz said the incident 'underscores the importance of addressing violence and discrimination' within the community, according to the news release. In an email to NBC Chicago, Stankowitz said the department collaborated with the Kane County State's Attorney's Office on whether or not to file hate crime charges. After a review of the case, Stankowitz said, the office declined to file them. This story first appeared on NBC Chicago This article was originally published on
Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Woman brutally attacked at McDonald's for her sexual orientation, IL cops say
A pair passing by a woman at an Illinois McDonald's made 'derogatory remarks' toward her, then brutally attacked her, police said. A 19-year-old and a juvenile started a verbal confrontation about the woman's sexual orientation as she was going into the bathroom on May 13, according to Carpentersville police and a GoFundMe started by Kady Grass. The confrontation escalated and Grass was punched and kicked in the head, according to a criminal complaint. The victim shared photos of bruises on her face and body and said she was attacked 'all because I date women instead of men,' she wrote in a GoFundMe. 'One hit me in the jaw and one was hitting me in the front and then I didn't realize that I was getting hit behind until a little bit later, like it took me a while to realize,' Grass told WMAQ. She was taken to the hospital for her injuries, police said. She suffered a broken nose and injuries to her face, according to charging documents. John Kammrad, 19, was charged with two counts of aggravated battery and mob violence, according to charging documents. The juvenile suspect was not named, but is facing felony charges. Deputy Police Chief Kevin Stankowitz said in an email to McClatchy News that case facts were reviewed to see if hate crime charges were warranted, but he said prosecutors declined to charge the two with hate crimes. The juvenile turned himself in on May 16 and Kammrad was arrested May 17. Kammrad is scheduled to appear in court June 27, prosecutors said. Carpentersville is about a 40-mile drive northwest from Chicago.
