Lesbian Mom Beaten Unconscious In Front Of Partner & Kids In Homophobic Attack
Sat. July 12, 2003 12:00 AM by 365gay.com
Boston, MA -
A lesbian couple is speaking out about a homophobic attack that left one of the women nearly dead and injured their children.
The attack took occurred during Fourth of July celebrations at an East Boston park. Lisa Craig and Debbie Riley had taken their their two girls, ages 4 and 9, to Piers Park to watch fireworks.
The woman say the trouble began when a group of rowdy teens who had been drinking began harassing them. The couple and their kids went to another area of the park, but when they stopped at an ice cream truck they again encountered the teens.
The group had been scuffling among themselves and bumped into the couple's children, pushing one against the truck and knocking the other to the ground.
In an interview with the Boston Herald, Riley said that when Craig told the teens to "move it along,'' one of the girls " sucker-punched her in the head." The teens then threw Craig to the ground. Her head hit the pavement and she fell unconscious while the teens continued to kick her in the head.
"I screamed, `Lisa stay with us.' I could feel the lump (on her head) growing in my hands,'' Riley told the Herald, recalling how she cradled her unconscious partner.
Craig underwent two operations. Doctors had to cut open her skull to drain the blood. She received more than 200 stitches.
The attack is under investigation by the Boston Police Department's Community Disorders Unit, which investigates hate crimes.
by Michael J. Meade
365Gay.com Newscenter
Boston Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2003
The attack took occurred during Fourth of July celebrations at an East Boston park. Lisa Craig and Debbie Riley had taken their their two girls, ages 4 and 9, to Piers Park to watch fireworks.
The woman say the trouble began when a group of rowdy teens who had been drinking began harassing them. The couple and their kids went to another area of the park, but when they stopped at an ice cream truck they again encountered the teens.
The group had been scuffling among themselves and bumped into the couple's children, pushing one against the truck and knocking the other to the ground.
In an interview with the Boston Herald, Riley said that when Craig told the teens to "move it along,'' one of the girls " sucker-punched her in the head." The teens then threw Craig to the ground. Her head hit the pavement and she fell unconscious while the teens continued to kick her in the head.
"I screamed, `Lisa stay with us.' I could feel the lump (on her head) growing in my hands,'' Riley told the Herald, recalling how she cradled her unconscious partner.
Craig underwent two operations. Doctors had to cut open her skull to drain the blood. She received more than 200 stitches.
The attack is under investigation by the Boston Police Department's Community Disorders Unit, which investigates hate crimes.
by Michael J. Meade
365Gay.com Newscenter
Boston Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2003
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.