Sydney man viciously attacked ‘for wearing make-up and dress’
A man in Sydney was allegedly beaten by three strangers in Sydney, Australia last week.
25-year-old Isaac Keatinge posted a photo on Facebook last Sunday after the ordeal, shocking friends and family who left supportive messages on the social networking site.
Speaking to Same Same, Keatinge explains how he was walking home from a party in Redfern and “was confronted by some straight men who didn’t appreciate the gorgeous gown or make up I was wearing.”
“After some cruel words, things escalated physically. I was pushed and punched rather severely. At some point I stumbled back towards the party and some people outside saw me when I rounded the corner.”
Keatinge was rushed to Sydney’s Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, where he received treatment for his injuries.
“The doctors and nurses were amazing and stitched me up, despite the fact my forehead was broken open to my skull. Almost went into Plastic for nerve care but thankfully around my eye area is just some bruising.”
Keatinge says he made a statement to the police, who are treating the attack as “bias related” meaning “hate crime”, and informs them that he “didn’t think the situation would have occurred” if he wasn’t wearing a dress.
“They already had a report from coming to the hospital soon after I arrived, and had started looking into it that night.
It was my first interaction with the police and it was a really positive one. Unfortunately they said there was a lot of these incidents that evening and lately in general.”
However, while the attack has shaken Keatinge, he reflects on how lucky he is to live in a country where the attacks are rare.
“I feel solidarity more than ever with our sisters around the globe who have been much more severely injured, bashed, tortured and killed, due to their gender expression or sexuality. Our people have been prosecuted for the longest time.”
Newtown is known for its large LGBT community and Keatinge warns: “People stay safe, even around Newtown. While I don’t ever want people to feel like they can’t express themselves, do stay with others. Safety in numbers.”
The Newtown police have stated that they are “currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident” and that “targeting people based on bias related perceptions is unacceptable in today’s society.”
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