Posted by Wayves Volunteer 15/10/2013
Scott Jones, an openly gay musician living in New Glasgow, was stabbed in the back in the early hours of Saturday, Octoner 13. The attack severed his spinal chord, leavinh him paralyzed from the waist down.
NSRAP Extends Support to Scott Jones, His Family and the New Glasgow LGBTQ Community Following Stabbing
HALIFAX, NS – The Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project (NSRAP) extends support to Scott Jones, his family and friends and the New Glasgow LGBTQ community following the stabbing that left him paralyzed last weekend. Mr. Jones is an openly gay musician living in New Glasgow.
“We are mindful that there have been allegations of homophobia attached to this crime and will be paying close attention to the outcome of the police investigation, as will our whole community,” NSRAP Chair Lisa Buchanan said. “We want to be sure that police and prosecutors are looking at the possibility that it is a hate crime.”
“At this time, of course, our first thoughts must be for Mr. Jones, his family and friends as he faces recovery,” Buchanan said.
Statistics Canada has reported hate crimes targeting people for their sexual orientation are on the rise across the country and that they tend to be more violent than other hate crimes.
“Our community takes incidents like this as a serious reminder that homophobic and transphobic hate is still out there,” said NSRAP spokesperson Kevin Kindred. “We know that these attacks send ripples through the entire lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.”
“We want members of our community in New Glasgow and across the province to know that attacks on our people only strengthen our resolve to build a stronger LGBTQ community, educate the public, and end homophobic and transphobic hate and violence,” Kindred said.
NSRAP will work with community members in New Glasgow and throughout the province to support Scott, his family and friends and members of the LGBTQ community in the wake of this horrible incident.
