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--------------------------------------------------------------
Permission granted by author for anyone to distribute this
writing free of charge (including translation into any
language)...under condition that no profit is made therefrom,
and that it remain intact and complete, including title and 
credit to the original author.

Ezekiel J. Krahlin
http://www.gay-bible.org
--------------------------------------------------------------


GAY-BASHER ALERT
(A True Tale From The Castro. Eat your heart out, Armistead!)

©2001 by Ezekiel J. Krahlin



To my street friends:

On Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, at approx. 9:30pm, a visitor named
Matthew violently bashed and threatened me. He beat me on the
head and face about 6 times, knocking my head against the
wall...put his teeth on my face and said he'll rip my skin
off. He also threatened to torture me, and take my life, if I
do anything to screw up his world (including reporting him to
the SFPD). If my good friend Don were not also there, I'm
afraid I'd have wound up severely battered, or even dead. He
defended me, which allowed me to escape, and contact the
police. Matthew has not been arrested, yet, and is still in
his usual hangouts. 

Please protect yourselves from this nut job; I've known Matt
for about three years, and never have had any scary
experiences with him, before this. The cops are looking to
arrest him, as I intend to press charges to the fullest
extent. The case number of my report is: 011264419. If anyone
cares to, who knows Matt's whereabouts, please contact the
police so they may finally arrest him. I'll try to make the
court require Matt to undergo the best possible treatment for
a successful recovery, as well as protect myself and others
from any more violence.

Description of Matthew (last name not yet known): Tall (6'1"),
skinny, handsome, Caucasian (Scottish descent), blue eyes
(maybe hazel), orange-blond curly hair cut very short, large
noble nose, lips wider than normal. About 37 yrs. old, 170
lbs. A rectangular, dark-blue Celtic tattoo of a dragon is on
his left biceps (perhaps right). Last seen wearing a bandana
tied over his head, camouflage military pants and black combat
boots. Very talented artist, sculpts gargoyle heads from clay,
paints dragons and other mythical creatures. He is well known
in the gay-artistic community here in S.F. He lives on and off
the streets, probably a hard-drug addict. Hangs out in The
Castro, Polk Street, and elsewhere.

Sincerely, Zeke Krahlin.


---finis

Now, read the thread on this topic, from bit.listserv.gaynet:

========
To: Chief Thracian 
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: Connie Sunday 
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2001 05:56:13 -0700 (PDT)
--------
I bet money this asshole has a rap sheet several pages
long, and a history of violent behavior;  he belongs
in a nice, quiet cell in the state penitentiary.  By
all means, prosecute him and get him off the street.

Hugs, etc.,
Connie



--- Chief Thracian  wrote:
> On Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, at approx. 9:30pm, a
> visitor named Matthew
> violently bashed and threatened me. He beat me on
> the head and face
> about 6 times, knocking my head against the
> wall...put his teeth on my
> face and said he'll rip my skin off. He also
> threatened to torture me,
> and take my life, if I do anything to screw up his
> world (including
> reporting him to the SFPD). If my good friend Don
> were not also there,
> I’m afraid I’d have wound up severely battered, or
> even dead. He
> defended me, which allowed me to escape, and contact
> the police.
> Matthew has not been arrested, yet, and is still in
> his usual
> hangouts. 
> 
> Please protect yourselves from this nut job; I’ve
> known Matt for about
> three years, and never have had any scary
> experiences with him, before
> this. The cops are looking to arrest him, as I
> intend to press charges
> to the fullest extent. The case number of my report
> is: 011264419. If
> anyone cares to, who knows Matt’s whereabouts,
> please contact the
> police so they may finally arrest him. I’ll try to
> make the court
> require Matt to undergo the best possible treatment
> for a successful
> recovery, as well as protect myself and others from
> any more violence.
> 
> Description of Matthew (last name not yet known):
> Tall (6'1"), skinny,
> handsome, Caucasian (Scottish descent), blue eyes
> (maybe hazel),
> orange-blond curly hair cut very short, large noble
> nose, lips wider
> than normal. About 37 yrs. old, 170 lbs. A
> rectangular, dark-blue
> Celtic tattoo of a dragon is on his left biceps
> (perhaps right). Last
> seen wearing a bandana tied over his head,
> camouflage military pants
> and black combat boots. Very talented artist,
> sculpts gargoyle heads
> from clay, paints dragons and other mythical
> creatures. He is well
> known in the gay-artistic community here in S.F. He
> lives on and off
> the streets, probably a hard-drug addict. Hangs out
> in The Castro,
> Polk Street, and elsewhere.
> 
> Sincerely, Zeke Krahlin.
> 
> 
> 
> ---
> HETEROSEXUAL terrorist, Osama Bin Laden
> http://www.gay-bible.org
> --
> This is message #1456.
> **********
> 
> To post, send mail to .
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> .
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> signed
> up; if so, or for other assistance, contact
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> 
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> a topic that interests you, see
>  for details.


=====
************************************************************
Connie's Violin Page: http://www.geocities.com/conniesunday/
Resume:  http://www.geocities.com/cmsunday2002/
Vita:  http://www.geocities.com/cmsunday2002/MusicVita.html
cmsunday@alumni.rice.edu
connie.sunday@ttacs.ttu.edu

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.
http://personals.yahoo.com



========
To: gaynet@queernet.org
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: Chief Thracian 
Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2001 08:53:36 -0700
Cc: Connie Sunday 
--------
On Thu, 25 Oct 2001 05:56:13 -0700 (PDT), you wrote:

>I bet money this asshole has a rap sheet several pages
>long, and a history of violent behavior;  he belongs
>in a nice, quiet cell in the state penitentiary.  By
>all means, prosecute him and get him off the street.

I have been going to all the gay bars in The Castro, distributing my
flyer about this monster. Also, wheat-pasting the flyers all around.
Today and tomorrow, I hit Polk Street, where he has been seen. I'm
certain that the next time he walks into his favorite bar there, the
bartenders will lock the door behind him to keep him from escaping,
while they dial 911.

Unfortunately, his rap sheet is short, with only assault and battery.
His verbal threats, however, are enough to justify locking him up for
good...though I'm afraid that's not how the courts will see it.
However, one way or another, I'm sure justice shall be done. At least
I'm protecting others from his sadism.

I will have much more information on him, in about a week, when my
case report is released.

>Hugs, etc.,
>Connie

Oh, you are such a nice hugger! And so were the bartenders, both male
and female, straight and gay (or bi).

Much thanks for your kind words, Connie...they are a real boost to my
terrorized soul. I would also like to point out to those who are
complete pacifists:

Were it not for my friend Don, who is expert in martial arts, I would
have been dead by now. If not for my tough street buddies (ex-cons and
Nam Vets), Matthew would not be on the run.


---
HETEROSEXUAL terrorist, Osama Bin Laden
http://www.gay-bible.org
--
This is message #1464.
**********

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========
To: "Gaynet" 
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: "Sam Damon" 
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 07:20:57 -0400
--------
While I abhor violence and feel bad about the attack, I fail to see why the
the subject of this posting is: "Gay Basher Alert."  Nowhere in the
description is there a connection between the victim's gayness and the
reason for this attack.  In fact, the assailant seems gay himself, although
admittedly, gays are also capable of homophobic attacks.  When we use our
ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion or gender too loosely to
explain negative events we lessen the credibility for true hate crimes.
Gays, for example, get mugged and robbed all the time without regard to
their sexuality.

This reminds me of our AIDS pateints who'd call at the slightest cough or
malaise.  I have to remind them that People with AIDS are, above all, human
beings, subject to all the diseases that all human beings are.  The cough is
most likely a simple cold and not HIV-related.  Similarly, gays are
susceptible to all the crimes that non-gays are, with the addition of
gay-related hate crimes.  So if there was a proven gay-related motive in
this attack, you need to state it.  Especially to the police.  Otherwise,
hate crime statistics lose their credibility and on a more personal note,
you once again get blamed for always portraying gays as the ultimate
victims.

=====================

From: "Chief Thracian" 
Subject: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco

> On Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, at approx. 9:30pm, a visitor named Matthew
> violently bashed and threatened me. He beat me on the head and face
> about 6 times, knocking my head against the wall...put his teeth on my
> face and said he'll rip my skin off. He also threatened to torture me,
> and take my life, if I do anything to screw up his world (including
> reporting him to the SFPD). If my good friend Don were not also there,
> I'm afraid I'd have wound up severely battered, or even dead. He
> defended me, which allowed me to escape, and contact the police.
> Matthew has not been arrested, yet, and is still in his usual
> hangouts.
>
> Please protect yourselves from this nut job; I've known Matt for about
> three years, and never have had any scary experiences with him, before
> this. The cops are looking to arrest him, as I intend to press charges
> to the fullest extent. The case number of my report is: 011264419. If
> anyone cares to, who knows Matt's whereabouts, please contact the
> police so they may finally arrest him. I'll try to make the court
> require Matt to undergo the best possible treatment for a successful
> recovery, as well as protect myself and others from any more violence.
>
> Description of Matthew (last name not yet known): Tall (6'1"), skinny,
> handsome, Caucasian (Scottish descent), blue eyes (maybe hazel),
> orange-blond curly hair cut very short, large noble nose, lips wider
> than normal. About 37 yrs. old, 170 lbs. A rectangular, dark-blue
> Celtic tattoo of a dragon is on his left biceps (perhaps right). Last
> seen wearing a bandana tied over his head, camouflage military pants
> and black combat boots. Very talented artist, sculpts gargoyle heads
> from clay, paints dragons and other mythical creatures. He is well
> known in the gay-artistic community here in S.F. He lives on and off
> the streets, probably a hard-drug addict. Hangs out in The Castro,
> Polk Street, and elsewhere.
>
> Sincerely, Zeke Krahlin.

--
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========
To: Sam Damon , gaynet@queernet.org
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: Eric Payne 
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 05:24:06 -0700
--------


Sam Damon wrote:

> While I abhor violence and feel bad about the attack, I fail to see why the
> the subject of this posting is: "Gay Basher Alert."  Nowhere in the
> description is there a connection between the victim's gayness and the
> reason for this attack.  In fact, the assailant seems gay himself, although
> admittedly, gays are also capable of homophobic attacks.  When we use our
> ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, religion or gender too loosely to
> explain negative events we lessen the credibility for true hate crimes.
> Gays, for example, get mugged and robbed all the time without regard to
> their sexuality.

I couldn't agree more, Sam... there has to be shown, by us, the correlation between
the act of violence and the act of violence being a bona-fide case of "bashing."

In this case, I don't see a "bashing."

I see someone who has known someone else, marginally, for three years.

I see someone who, for whatever reason, approached someone he had known, marginally,
for three years, and very possibly saying/doing something to instigate. No one
deserves acts of violence perpetrated against them, but a person does have to accept
partial responsibility for such acts if he/she had any responsibility in the
creation of an atmosphere conducive to acts of violence.

If I've been acquainted with someone for three years, however marginally, I'm
probably going to know that person's last name. That just seems to be common sense.
The violent person, reading between Zeke's lines, is a street-person. In the past
Zeke has spoken of his assistance to street-people.

That's a good and noble cause.

But if Zeke, in real life, comports himself in the same manner as he does online, I
can easily see where he did/said something to this "Matthew" which could be seen as
threatening.

I sincerely doubt Matthew came walking up to Zeke and - from out of the blue -
started abusing him, physically.

There's more to the story, the only people who know for sure are Zeke and Matthew...
and Zeke ain't telling.

Eric Payne
Livermore, CA

--
This is message #1492.
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========
To: gaynet@queernet.org
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: Chief Thracian 
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 16:42:41 -0700
--------
On Fri, 26 Oct 2001 07:20:57 -0400, you wrote:

>While I abhor violence and feel bad about the attack, I fail to see why the
>the subject of this posting is: "Gay Basher Alert."  Nowhere in the
>description is there a connection between the victim's gayness and the
>reason for this attack.  

I am a gay activist. Matthew is bisexual. His sudden explosion at me
was totally unexpected. He was visiting me that evening, along with my
friend Don. Matt asked me to sit close beside him (as he does from
time to time). I went to hug him and rest my head on his chest, when
he erupted, and accused me of "groping"...which is not at all what I
did. That is indeed homophobic. He at least used "homosexual panic" to
justify his violence. But he did not verbally use any anti-gay remark.
Because Don was my witness, as well as defender, he can back me up in
court.

Like many street people I know and work with, he has a history of drug
abuse. But AFAIK, he's been attending NA and AA for two years now, and
he's shown to me and others, his excellent progress in being more
stable and responsible. At worst, he was erratic with his moods, but
never in any way to threaten violence. In fact, I know several other
addicts and former addicts who are totally peaceable, yet as erratic
or more erratic, as Matt.



---
HETEROSEXUAL terrorist, Osama Bin Laden
http://www.gay-bible.org
--
This is message #1504.
**********

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========
To: Chief Thracian 
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: Eric Payne 
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 17:01:42 -0700
--------
Please do not write me.

If I make comment, publicly, as far as I'm concerned - as I've stated, often - the
appropriate milleau for response is publicly.





========
To: Eric Payne 
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: Chief Thracian 
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 17:11:11 -0700
--------
On Fri, 26 Oct 2001 17:01:42 -0700, you wrote:

>Please do not write me.
>
>If I make comment, publicly, as far as I'm concerned - as I've stated, often - the
>appropriate milleau for response is publicly.

That was an error caused by a slip of my finger on the control key.
Furthermore, anyone who posts to Gaynet is free to post back in
private, as well as on the list. Feel free to ask Roger on this. But I
never intentionally reply in private...so if it ever happens again,
try not to get your panties up in a bunch, dearest.


---
HETEROSEXUAL terrorist, Osama Bin Laden
http://www.gay-bible.org

========
To: gaynet@queernet.org
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: Chief Thracian 
Date: Fri, 26 Oct 2001 17:07:54 -0700
--------
On Fri, 26 Oct 2001 05:24:06 -0700, you wrote:

>I see someone who, for whatever reason, approached someone he had known, marginally,
>for three years, and very possibly saying/doing something to instigate. No one
>deserves acts of violence perpetrated against them, but a person does have to accept
>partial responsibility for such acts if he/she had any responsibility in the
>creation of an atmosphere conducive to acts of violence.

I accept the responsibility of getting involved with street people,
particularly gay/bisexual men and women. I expect from time to time,
to run into some rough going. But I have never been bashed before in
my life (though had a few close calls), and pride myself for an
excellent track record.

>If I've been acquainted with someone for three years, however marginally, I'm
>probably going to know that person's last name. That just seems to be common sense.

The last name he gave me, I have since learned, is not his real last
name. However, I know many street folks who don't like their real
identity to be known. And if you want to work with these people, you
need to  respect that...it just goes with the territory.

>But if Zeke, in real life, comports himself in the same manner as he does online, I
>can easily see where he did/said something to this "Matthew" which could be seen as
>threatening.

Nonsense. The only people who have threatened violence to me, over the
newsgroups, are those already prone to virulent homophobia. That does
not fit Matthew's profile at all. I believe he went back to hard
drugs, and went ballistic on me. Matt and I have had our tiffs many
times in the past, and he has always handled them maturely...by
walking off the steam, and then coming back when he was calmed. 

Further, I never maintain a relationship if the other person threatens
or acts out real violence in any form. So my friendship with Matt is
over for good.

>I sincerely doubt Matthew came walking up to Zeke and - from out of the blue -
>started abusing him, physically.

No, we had our customary tiff...and at the end of it, he suddenly
jumped up from his chair and slammed me against the wall six
times...then Don stopped him, and allowed me to escape, after a scary
20 minutes of calming Matt down.

>There's more to the story, the only people who know for sure are Zeke and Matthew...
>and Zeke ain't telling.

More nonsense. My flyer that I posted to this newsgroup, was long
enough. I did not think to add further detail, when sending it as an
article. What you don't realize, is that even the nicest person can
suddenly turn on you, if s/he messes with hard drugs. Matt hid it very
well for a while.


---
HETEROSEXUAL terrorist, Osama Bin Laden
http://www.gay-bible.org
--
This is message #1505.
**********

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========
To: 
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: "PridePage.net" 
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001 07:26:08 -0700
--------
It totally amazes me that this person is still not recognizing that the
choices of who he hangs out with impacts what he is subjecting himself to.
It's horrible what happened to him, but get real.. If you continuously put
yourself into unpredictable situations, something unexpected is going to
happen....  
-------------------
"I accept the responsibility of getting involved with street people,
particularly gay/bisexual men and women. I expect from time to time,
to run into some rough going. But I have never been bashed before in
my life (though had a few close calls), and pride myself for an
excellent track record."

   ... If that was true, that he accepted responsibility for getting involved, then
the rest of his note would sound much more mad at himself for his choices
in friends rather than at the situation that occurred.
-------------------

"Nonsense. The only people who have threatened violence to me, over the
newsgroups, are those already prone to virulent homophobia. That does
not fit Matthew's profile at all. I believe he went back to hard
drugs, and went ballistic on me. Matt and I have had our tiffs many
times in the past, and he has always handled them maturely...by
walking off the steam, and then coming back when he was calmed. "

"At worst, he was erratic with his moods, but
never in any way to threaten violence. In fact, I know several other
addicts and former addicts who are totally peaceable, yet as erratic
or more erratic, as Matt."

   ...If someone is being repeatedly threatened, I would say it's time for that
person to analyse why this is happening.  I've gone through my whole life with
very few incidents of a threatening nature, and I'm sure there are people who have
never encountered this.  Plus it sounds like the excitable nature of this individual
has been there all along and just chosen to be ignored.  If "walking off steam" was
a common occurrance, then this is not the "peaceable" person he is described as.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Show your Pride !!  -  Get a free PridePage photo webpage.
http://www.pridepage.net
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




   ... 
--
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========
To: gaynet@queernet.org
Subject: Re: [gaynet] Gay Basher Alert, San Francisco
From: Chief Thracian 
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2001 10:30:29 -0800
--------
On Sat, 27 Oct 2001 07:26:08 -0700, you wrote:

>It's horrible what happened to him, but get real.. If you continuously put
>yourself into unpredictable situations, something unexpected is going to
>happen....  

I PREFER to do street counseling, and have been doing this for many,
many years. "Unpredictable situations" are common, everyday
occurrences. We can only protect ourselves to a limited extent.
However, one reason we have become such a fragmented society, is that
so many of us isolate ourselves from true community. We live in little
boxes at home, at work, and at play...for the most part. Mostly in the
name of "security"...which I would more aptly label "fear of living".

>   ... If that was true, that he accepted responsibility for getting involved, then
>the rest of his note would sound much more mad at himself for his choices
>in friends rather than at the situation that occurred.

Of course, your reaction is a common one, for one who doesn't want to
face the truth of life's unpredictability and instability. Blaming the
victim is the usual cop-out. I am not mad at myself at all, for what
you claim are bad choices. In fact, I am proud that I found this out
about Matthew, and could then pray for him. I will do everything
possible to prevent him from hurting anyone any more...as well as find
the best possible treatment. And I assure you, I'll do all this
without exposing myself to his literal presence.

>   ...If someone is being repeatedly threatened, I would say it's time for that
>person to analyse why this is happening.  

I was not repeatedly threatened; you are reading too much into things,
in an attempt to justify blaming the victim. When I said his behavior
has been erratic in the past, I did not mean this included any
threatening words or gestures. His erratic behavior has to do with not
keeping appointments, not following through on social expectations of
being true to his word. Such as saying he'd show up at a certain
time--and then he doesn't; and saying he'll buy me dinner--but
neglects to.

My best friend, Don Walz, is also erratic in this way, and I often get
pissed off at him. In fact, he is the one who saved my life; or at
least, my body. He is serving as my body guard now, along with a
couple other of my best homeless friends. I trust him (and them)
totally, because they are truly decent and responsible guys.

>I've gone through my whole life with
>very few incidents of a threatening nature, 

The same can easily be said for myself.

>and I'm sure there are people who have
>never encountered this.  

You would blame Matthew Shephard for his horrible death, no doubt.

>Plus it sounds like the excitable nature of this individual
>has been there all along and just chosen to be ignored.  

Matt's nature is not "exciteable"...he just doesn't tend to see his
friends regularly, but instead disappears for months. That is when he
is probably hustling, and/or doing an art project for which he was
hired.

>If "walking off steam" was a common occurrance, 
>then this is not the "peaceable" person he is described as.

Odd you say that. My parents have never been violent or even erratic.
Yet my Dad would always walk off steam whenever he and Mom had a
difference of opinion. Their example inspired me to use the same
method in dealing with some of my street friends...and it usually
works very well.



---
HETEROSEXUAL terrorist, Osama Bin Laden
http://www.gay-bible.org
--
This is message #1515.
**********

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