The brutal beating of a gay couple in Philadelphia’s Center City neighborhood at the hands of a group of people who allegedly targeted the men because they’re gay has sparked a statewide movement and a fast-growing Change.org petition calling on Pennsylvania to add sexual orientation to its hate crime law.
The petition was launched on Change.org shortly after the attack by the couple’s friend, Caryn Kunkle, and so far, over 8,800 supporters have signed on.
“I am thankful that many legislators are working to restore Pennsylvania’s inclusive hate crime law, which used to protect people based on sexual orientation or mental or physical disability, among other categories,” said Kunkle. “This is important to me not only because of my gay friends who were brutally attacked, but also because I have struggled my entire life to protect my autistic younger brother. It is never OK to hurt someone because of who they are.”
Today, supporters and friends will attended a public rally in Philadelphia organized by state representative Brian Sims (D-Phila.), who has said he’d like to bring the men to Harrisburg to try to get a hate crime bill that was introduced in 2013 passed.
According to a report on Yahoo News, the daughter of a suburban Philadelphia police chief is among three people charged with attacking the couple.
The trio — Kathryn Knott, 24, of Southampton, Pennsylvania, who is the daughter of Chalfont Borough Police Chief Karl Knott; Kevin Harrigan, 26, of Southampton; and Phillip Williams, 24, of Warminster, Pennsylvania, — surrendered to police in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
The three held down the two men and beat them while making disparaging comments about their sexual orientation and stealing one victim’s bag, police said. Both victims were hospitalized, one beaten so badly he had his jaw wired shut and required facial surgery. Police haven’t released the names of the victims.
“This vicious attack shocked the entire country. An assault on people because of their sexual orientation has no place in Philadelphia,” District Attorney Seth Williams said in a statement.
The three are charged with aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
