Pair attacked in Springvale
Two Melbourne men were bashed in an alleged homophobic attack outside Springvale train station yesterday.
Occasional drag performer Matthew Maxwell told the Star Observer he and his partner Sheldon Robson were attacked on July 6 after a group of five youths — two girls and three boys — followed them from Noble Park station to Springvale.
“We get off at Springvale station and they get off behind us,” Maxwell said.
“Sheldon heard them as we were getting off the train… they said something about ‘fucking faggots get off’.
“Sheldon said to them, ‘What the fuck was that?’ ”
Maxwell said one of the boys then forced Robson to the ground where he was kicked.
“This ranga guy, I’m talking more ranga than Julia Gillard, jumped [Sheldon], I jumped the [red-haired] guy, then the other guys jumped in and it was on,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell said he sustained back and neck injuries, while Robson’s rib was fractured.
The five youths were then said to have fled the station area and police were called.
Maxwell said he had been in the area after dropping off papers for a new job he was starting in Noble Park.
He said he felt the attack was prejudice-motivated.
“This was definitely a homophobically-motivated attack, there is no doubt in my mind,” he said.
Victoria Police Constable Brendan Fontana confirmed the incident had been reported, however, he told the Star Observer details were still “vague” and Maxwell was yet to give a formal statement.
Fontana would not be drawn on whether Victoria Police believe the attack to be homophobic until a formal statement was made.
“We really need to sit down and get a formal statement from him before we go further,” he said.
Fontana said it’s possible CCTV footage from Springvale station would be examined.
Sorry to hear Matthew and Sheldon had to go through such an experience. Matthew is right that it “shouldn’t” have happened at all. When I first read the line “Occasional drag performer” I actually visaged them to be in Springvale dressed in drag. My first thought was, well that’s just asking for trouble. (which begs the question, why SO would even make mention of it). As for the return comment, ‘What the f*ck was that?’ Do the math, 2 against 5? It is better to ignore and move on and if you feel that strongly about it report it to the local police station. If you don’t feel you’ve been heard, ask to speak to a GLLO (Gay & Lesbian Liaison Officer). Don’t like the cops? Then report it at antiviolence.info. In this case the article reads that a formal complaint is yet to be made. Make sure you do, otherwise it’s just another “prejudice motivated crime” that will go unnoticed.
In regards to all the bickering on here, I’m often concerned that if the GLBTIQ community can’t be civil with each other what hope have we got against all the homophobes of the world?
Further more I too hate the term “Ranga”. Just like you can’t help being Gay, you can’t help having red hair.
Sorry to hear Matthew and Sheldon had to go through such an experience. Matthew is right that it “shouldn’t” have happened at all. When I first read the line “Occasional drag performer” I actually visaged them to be in Springvale dressed in drag. My first thought was, well that’s just asking for trouble. (which begs the question, why SO would even make mention of it). As for the return comment, ‘What the f*ck was that?’ Do the math, 2 against 5? It is better to ignore and move on and if you feel that strongly about it report it to the local police station. If you don’t feel you’ve been heard, ask to speak to a GLLO (Gay & Lesbian Liaison Officer). Don’t like the cops? Then report it at antiviolence.info. In this case the article reads that a formal complaint is yet to be made. Make sure you do, otherwise it’s just another “prejudice motivated crime” that will go unnoticed.
In regards to all the bickering on here, I’m often concerned that if the GLBTIQ community can’t be civil with each other what hope have we got against all the homophobes of the world?
Further more I too hate the term “Ranga”. Just like you can’t help being Gay, you can’t help having red hair.
Owen you idiot… The point is no matter where we are, this SHOULD NOT HAPPEN! Before ANYTHING we shouldn’t have done…. THEY SHOULDN’T HAVE STARTED IT, and we weren’t being openly gay what so ever! You have to be straight… Again… Idiot!
Matthew its not nice to use the word ranga as you may offend people. In suburbs like noble park it is very risque to be openly gay. Sadly things like this happen too often. Sheldon should not have said, “what the Fxxk was that?” you should have just ignored them. When you use language just like the perpetrators do, it doesnt make you any better.
Patrick… I couldn’t agree more. Laura, you really need to look at the way you see things. With that kind of ridiculous view after reading this article, you are worse than than the perpetrators themselves. If I knew who you were….. I’d come swear at you. See how even tempered you are after something like that happens to you, and the person you most love in this universe, you hack.
with youtube overflowing with vids stating “Gingers DO have souls” its apparent from this savage and cowardly attach that they indeed DO NOT!
you only have to look at the slime minister to see that!
Laura, you read an article where somebody has been called ‘fa****’ and kicked, and you complain that the victim uses the term ranga??? WTF?
I think we all hope Maxwell recovers though, and those little fuckers are caught.
This is disgusting. How can people treat other human beings like this?
But with Maxwell, using language such as “ranga” – which is quite offensive to red heads, you can only imagine what his language is like normally. Maybe he could tone it down a bit also. This was definitely not deserved by any means though.
it is a shame that it appears that the footage can possibly be viewed if it was a racial beating it would be already looked at being homophobic is as bad as a racial or hate crime and should be investigated as such