Dane Hall, 20, was brutally attacked outside of a popular Salt Lake City club Aug. 26, but has come forward with new evidence to suggest the attack was part of a larger hate crime against him. Now, Hall explains the attack came in wake of gay slurs prior to the assault, according to Deseret News.
Leaving Club Sound late Friday night, Hall was approached by a group of men who began grabbing him and pushing him around, eventually punching the man in the face, and hurling him the ground. Hall explains the men were slinging anti-gay, derogatory remarks regarding the man’s sexual orientation.
“He came up randomly and punched me in the back of my head and I fell on the ground. And he grabbed me by my shirt and punched me on the side of my face,” Hall said.
The attack ended in what is called “curb stomping” – a violent act that gained notoriety in the 90s film American History X. Hall was immediately transported to the hospital where he was treated for a broken jaw, multiple fractures, and six missing teeth.
Hall is openly gay and believes the attack was based on his sexuality.
We’re gaining acceptance,” said Nikki Boyer, president of the board of directors for the Utah Pride Center. “But there’s still so much hate and bigotry. I don’t have an answer. None of us do.”