ONTARIO: Gaybashing Victim Pleads Guilty To Assault For Fighting Back

Last September we were all appalled by the brutal anti-gay attack on Jake Raynard, who underwent extensive facial reconstruction surgery after being attacked by a group of brick-wielding thugs outside a bar in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Raynard himself was charged with assault for kicking one of his assailants and last week he plead guilty.

But wait a minute — how can Raynard be considered a victim and an assailant at the same time? Raynard says he's struggling with that very issue. "In the process of defending myself and my friends, I did harm to my attackers," says the 30-year-old artist, who says he and two other guys were attacked by a group of thugs outside a gay-friendly Thunder Bay bar on September 5, 2009. Acccording to Raynard, the four teens shouted "fags" and "fairies" at the trio, then threw bricks at them. "I pulled an attacker off my friends and then kicked him a couple of times," says Raynard. Raynard's friends got away in a cab, but he was knocked unconscious. He needed reconstructive surgery to repair a shattered skull, crushed cheekbone, broken jaw and damage to one eye. The assault involving Raynard made headlines across Canada, prompted the creation of a Facebook page that drew almost 7,000 supporters and caused hundreds of people in Thunder Bay to rally against community violence. A couple of months later, community members were surprised when Raynard, too, was charged. "I may have exceeded some bounds," Raynard admits. "I'm a little bit in shock that I reacted that way. I'm not a violent person. There was alcohol and flared tempers. I have feelings of massive regret. It's something that I'm dealing with on a daily basis." Having said all that, Raynard feels frustration about his guilty plea. "The verdict sends a mixed message," he says. The main reason he didn't fight the charge was money. "Going to court is expensive, so I don't feel I was given many options."

Raynard's case was given a conditional discharge, meaning that it will disappear as a criminal record in one year, provided he isn't rearrested on other charges. Four of his assailants are awaiting trial, but hate crimes charges were not filed.

(Tipped by JMG reader Nathaniel)

Jake Raynard Speaks

Thunder Bay, Ontario gay-bashing victim Jake Raynard speaks through multiple broken facial bones to talk about the value of the lives of LGBT people. There will be a rally against gay-bashing tonight at 6PM in Thunder Bay's Waverly Park.

HomoQuotable - Jake Raynard

"This story isn’t just mine. I’m sure there’s many other people out there who have encountered a lot of the same problems that I have in my life, and have encountered hate-related crimes and a lot of discrimination based on that. I would urge them to come forward and make their stories known and have it so we can start to heal as a community and start to move forward beyond this kind of hate. My physical well-being has already been damaged. But my spirit inhabits this body. And it’s very strong, I’m going to be fighting for what I think is right, and hopefully the community will join me in that fight." - Thunder Bay, Ontario gay-bashing victim Jake Raynard, who is out the hospital six days after being beaten with bricks by a gang of six to eight men.

According to the above-linked report, it took police an hour to respond to the calls of the restaurant workers who found the bloodied Raynard banging for help on their windows. Raynard's injuries: "A broken jaw, broken eye socket and broken upper patella. He underwent facial reconstruction surgery and had two metal plates, nine screws and a wire used to put him back together again." Raynard lives in Toronto but was in Thunder Bay to celebrate the 10th birthday of his nephew.

Canadians Rally Behind Gay-Bashed Man

Residents of Thunder Bay, Ontario are rallying around gay-bashing victim Jake Raynard, who was brutally beaten by a gang of men with bricks as he stood outside a gay bar this weekend.

A group has formed on Facebook offering support and communicating the messages of support for the injured man, who underwent reconstructive surgury on the weekend following the attack early Saturday morning. The Facebook group has been growing at about 30 people per hour. Juan Anderson reports, "The level of support coming forth is overwhelming. The community is rallying around Jake and taking a firm stance against hate crimes in our community. Let's spread that sentiment as far we can: 1. A rally is taking place Friday at 6 PM in Waverly Park. All people who support Jake and believe that this action has no place in our community are asked to attend. More details will be solidified in an announcement tomorrow. 2. A Fund has been established for Jake. This fund will be dedicated to permit Jake access to legal consultation, rehabilitation treatments, and some basic income while unable to work.

Join Jake's Facebook support group here.

(Tipped by JMG reader Allen in Thunder Bay)