In a distressing incident on a Manhattan subway, Hunter Greer, a 27-year-old individual who prefers gender-neutral pronouns, found themselves at the center of an alarming confrontation that has left the LGBTQ community concerned. The incident, which occurred on the 1 train, involved verbal harassment, the use of homophobic slurs, and ultimately culminated in a physical assault.
Verbal Assault Escalates
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Greer described how the altercation began when their elbow accidentally brushed against one of their fellow commuters. The situation swiftly escalated as slurs and threats were directed at Greer. “They were continuing to yell slurs at me, and she threatened to break my nose if I didn’t get off the train,” Greer recounted.
A video recorded by Greer captured a moment where one of the aggressors approached them, forcefully knocking their phone from their hands. Amid the heated exchange, Greer maintained their seat, attempting to reason with their assailants. “I was literally doing nothing,” Greer expressed, “but I didn’t do anything to you, and leave me alone.”
A Disturbing End
The harassment persisted for several stops before one of the individuals in question delivered a physical blow to Greer’s face, forcibly pushing them off the subway car near Columbia University’s 116th Street stop. The perpetrators quickly fled to another subway car, leaving Greer shaken and injured.
Greer’s recollection of the incident sheds light on the troubling reality faced by LGBTQ individuals. “If it can happen when I’m just sitting down on a train and quietly reading a book because someone decides that I’m queer, then it’ll happen,” they asserted.
Seeking Justice and Accountability
Greer, who sustained a fractured nose and cuts to their nose and mouth, received aid from a compassionate bystander before being transported to a hospital by Emergency Medical Services. New York City police have launched a search for the unidentified individual seen in the video. Greer intends to press charges against both assailants once they are identified.
This incident adds to a string of attacks against LGBTQ individuals and symbols in New York City over the past year. The NYPD Hate Crimes Dashboard recorded 45 hate crimes based on sexual orientation from January to June, highlighting the pressing need for heightened awareness and intervention in such cases.
