Utah Couple Say They were Assaulted Because they Were Gay
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A gay couple in Sandy, Utah were assaulted because they say they are gay and the assailant may face federal hate crimes.
What started as a simple goodnight hug outside a Sandy home has now led to a hate-crime investigation.
Police arrested a juvenile who is accused of physically attacking two men who reported they were targeted by a group of people yelling homophobic slurs at them.
The victims – Jacob Metcalf and Christian Peacock – spoke with KUTV about their experience Tuesday afternoon.
“It was because we were just out on the street hugging, they said it was because we were gay,” Metcalf said.
Metcalf and Peacock said they were hugging goodbye on Friday night when a car drove by and then stopped. The pair reports the occupants of the car got out and started harassing them.
“One of them takes his shirt off and he’s like flexing, saying ‘do I turn you on? Are you attracted to me?’ Then the kid punched Christian in the face, so I pulled Christian back,” Metcalf said.
A cell phone video recorded part of the altercation, including someone yelling homophobic slurs.
“Just disappointment, they all knew it was wrong what they were doing. They were all in their filming and laughing and giggling, it’s just sad,” Metcalf said.
Sandy police told KUTV the teen who punched Peacock was arrested for simple assault, a class B misdemeanor. Investigators, however, will recommend the charge be enhanced in accordance with Utah’s hate crime law.
Peacock was treated for a concussion at the hospital, but was later released.
“It’s just unacceptable, I think people need to grow up and mind their own business. I hope it spreads a message that these things still happen today, whether it’s publicized or not and hopefully our message getting our there will prevent it from happening again,” Peacock said.
