The statewide LGBTQ+ grassroots advocacy organization MassEquality issued the following statement on Sept. 2:
MassEquality was horrified to hear of the brutal beating of a transgender Gloucester teenage boy, by members of the Gloucester High School Football team on Friday night [Aug. 30]. With compassion, we extend our heartfelt thoughts to the student, their family and everyone touched by this loss within the community.
MassEquality has been in direct contact with the victim’s family and will be working, alongside our partner organizations to provide support. We will also work with the schools and community in Gloucester to ensure that they have the resources that they need to combat hate and violence and demand accountability for the actions of those who were responsible for this attack.
Violence against the LGBTQ+ community has been on the rise across the nation and in Massachusetts. Per the Department of Justice, hate crimes motivated by gender identity more than doubled between 2020 and 2023, and nearly doubled for those based on sexual orientation. We strongly condemn all forms of violence, with hate-motivated acts being especially reprehensible. Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and live a life free from the fear of violence. This must stop. We must stand together, united in our common humanity to protect this person and all people from violence and bigotry.
To members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially those young people who are feeling vulnerable in the wake of this news, please know that we see you, we support you and you are loved.
More: massequality.org
Read a Sept. 4 update on this story from Boston.com.
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