A night out for a group of LGBTQ women in Miami’s Wynwood district turned violent last month when they were allegedly targeted and beaten by a group of men hurling homophobic slurs. A video of the November 26 incident, now under investigation as a possible hate crime, shows the moment the verbal assault escalated to a physical one, as reported by the Miami New Times.
NBC Miami details how the confrontation began: As the group left an LGBTQ party, they were met with derogatory comments from men outside. The situation quickly deteriorated after one of the women confronted the men about their remarks.
One of the victims, speaking to NBC Miami, recalled the men starting to "scream stuff at us, anti-lesbian comments, like, 'you’re only lesbians because you haven’t received actual' and he used a profanity word." The same individual highlighted a head injury and a possible hairline fracture sustained during the attack, adding, "It’s been a very difficult time, plus not to add the nightmares of feeling attacked and seeing my friend on the floor nonresponsive with blood."
According to the Miami New Times, one of the victims was a transgender woman who was left with a severe concussion and skull fracture after being knocked out cold. Kaci Melendez, a witness, told the publication that the trans woman was struck while trying to break up the fight and was not instigating violence herself. Moreover, the trauma has severely impacted her daily life, Melendez reported, saying her friend "doesn't even want to leave the house or do activities" since the assault.
While an arrest has yet to be made, Miami Police assured NBC Miami that they are "actively working on the case," ensuring all investigative details are thoroughly covered before proceeding with arrests. The victims, desperately seeking closure, have expressed concern that their attackers are still free and unaccountable for their actions.
