Two men were injured, with one suffering a broken nose, after being assaulted in the carpark of The Strand on West Bay Road early on Monday morning in what police believe was a homophobic attack.
Police responded to a report of the attack shortly before 12:20am on 3 Jan.
The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service said two men, who were in a vehicle at the carpark, were approached by two other men who made homophobic remarks towards them, and then assaulted them – kicking and punching them repeatedly.
The RCIPS said both of the victims received what appear to be non-life-threatening injuries, and one had a broken nose. Both were transported to hospital by emergency services, where they were treated for their injuries and later released.
“Although the investigation is still in the early stages, initial reports suggest that the men were assaulted due to their sexual orientation,” said Detective Chief Inspector Richard Barrow, who is overseeing the investigation.
“This type of violence is inexcusable and has no place in our community. We are working with urgency to locate the perpetrators and bring them to justice, and we appeal for anyone with any information to come forward.”
Noel Cayasso-Smith, founder of the Cayman LGBTQ Foundation, condemned the attack, and said it highlighted the need for a local law against hate crimes.
The LGBTQ Foundation, as well as advocacy group Colours Cayman, have previously called for actions to be taken against homophobic hate speech in Cayman.
Cayasso-Smith said he is seeking a meeting with Governor Martyn Roper and Police Commissioner Derek Byrne to discuss Monday’s attack and the possibility of introducing hate crime legislation to Cayman.
“I am angry and outraged that there is nothing in place deterring people from doing this. We have fought too hard for something like this to happen now,” he said, adding that he was disappointed this attack had occurred just a few months after Cayman’s first Gay Pride Parade, which was held peacefully and successfully.
“The police need to step up and laws need to be put in place,” he said. “We need hate crime laws here to protect people in our gay community.”
Anyone with any information regarding the incident is asked to contact George Town CID at 949-4222. Anonymous tips can be provided directly to the RCIPS via its confidential tip line at 949-7777, or via its website.
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Without a doubt, the Cayman government and local churches share blame for this attack. When government refuses to treat all its people with equality, the message comes through loud and clear: It’s still “open season” on gays. Shame on you, Cayman government ministers, for wasting valuable taxpayer money on lawsuits that continue to wage misguided war on same-sex marriage. For heaven’s sake, people love who they love. Why on earth should it make a difference to you? Shame on you, local churches, for clinging to the bigotry of past centuries. Don’t tell me that you’re only doing “God’s work”. God is NOT a bigot. Further, the Cayman Islands guarantees freedom of religion — so there’s no requirement that any of us buy into the bigotry. My hope is that 2022 will finally force Cayman (no doubt, kicking and screaming every inch of the way) into the modern world with a successful opinion from the Privy Council in regard to Vickie and Chantelle’s suit. More power to these two courageous women. As for the bigots who may be reading this, go ahead and vote against me — I know you will — but it doesn’t change the truth of a single word I’ve said.
Its against the law to punch random ppl.
“I am angry and outraged that there is nothing in place deterring people from doing this. We have fought too hard for something like this to happen now,” – I believe the deterrence from assaulting ppl is already in the law. The law considers all assaults equal. They are all dumb and not welcome. It has and always will be against the law to assault another human. The suspects should be found and convicted, if found guilty. Special protections are the antithesis of equity, which you “fought so hard for”.