EDITOR’S NOTE: Calgary police earlier said officers were investigating an incident that happened on July 19. Police later corrected that date to state the incident actually took place on July 31. The article has been updated to reflect the correct information.
Calgary police are investigating three separate incidents that occurred over the August long weekend that officials say targeted Calgary’s gender and sexually diverse population.
In a news release Tuesday, officers said they believe the incidents are potentially “hate-motivated crimes” towards the city’s LGBTQ2 population.
The most recent incident took place on Monday, Aug. 3., and involved a same-sex couple who were walking near the intersection of 9 Street and Memorial Drive N.W.
Police said two men and two women on electronic scooters approached the couple and an altercation occurred.
“It is believed the two men on scooters assaulted the couple because of their sexual orientation,” the news release said.
“A belt, rocks and a recycling bin were used as weapons and then the group fled.”
Police said officers arrived shortly after the incident took place and searched the area but couldn’t find the suspects.
The two victims were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
In an attempt to identify the suspects, police released photos of those involved in the incident and asked for the public’s help in finding them.
Then, on Aug. 5, police announced that thanks to tips from the public they had been able to identify the suspects.
“Investigations of this nature can be complex, and we ask for patience as we collect and process all the evidence,” a news release stated.
Calgary drag artist spat on while filming on Stephen Avenue
On Aug. 1, police responded to another incident, this time on the rainbow crosswalk at the intersection of Centre Street and Stephen Avenue Mall S.W.
Police said a drag king was recording a video when he was spat on by a man who was walking past.
The incident was captured on camera by Mackenzie Jefferies, who was filming a performance by Duke Carson for Calgary’s virtual Pride week.
“We were at the part of the video where I was getting ready to go up into a handstand… and I heard some people approaching from behind,” Carson told Global News on Monday.
“Then I felt someone spit on me and I saw some droplets go past my leg. I was just so shocked.”
Police said the video and CCTV footage of the incident is being investigated to help identify the suspect.
Man assaulted on 17 Avenue, called homophobic slurs
The third incident police are currently investigating took place on July 31. Police said a group of men allegedly assaulted a man “while calling him homophobic slurs” near the intersection of 17 Avenue and 12 Street Southwest.
Police said these types of targeted crimes will not be tolerated in the city.
“It is shocking to see anyone targeted for a crime because of a personal characteristic, but it is extremely disturbing to see the same community targeted three times in one weekend,” Sgt. Arlene Padnivelan with the Calgary Police Service Diversity Resource Team said.
“It is unacceptable that this is happening and we will absolutely investigate anytime a crime is motivated by hate or bias.”
Padnivelan added that anyone who experiences these types of crimes in the city is encouraged to report it to police so investigations can be launched.
“We respect the wishes of those who are most affected by the incident and never force a victim to participate in a police investigation. However, if there is a way we can help make a person feel safe enough to come forward, we want to try do that.”
Anyone who believes they have been a victim of a hate-motivated crime can report it to Calgary police at 403-266-1234, the Diversity Resource Team or Hate Crimes Coordinator at 403-428-8399, or through Crime Stoppers.
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