A transgender teen, Jayden Tkaczyk, was viciously attacked by a group of high schoolers in Gloucester, Massachusetts, as he was chased into the woods during a party and beaten while enduring homophobic slurs. Tkaczyk was left with bruises and knots all over his head from the assault. His mother, Jasmine Tkaczyk, believes the incident was a hate crime, as the attackers used derogatory slurs during the attack.
Gloucester Police responded to the incident and are treating it with the utmost seriousness. A detective trained in civil rights has been assigned to lead the case. Gloucester Public Schools Superintendent Ben Lummis also stated that the district is taking the allegations seriously.
Tkaczyk’s attorney, Craig Rourke, mentioned that the teen has faced bullying due to his gender identity for a while now. Tkaczyk says he was having fun at the party one moment and then on the ground being beaten the next. He recalls how the attackers repeatedly used the homophobic slur while attacking him.
The attack on Tkaczyk has prompted outrage and condemnation from the community, with many calling for justice and accountability for the perpetrators. Tkaczyk’s story sheds light on the ongoing discrimination and violence faced by transgender individuals. Authorities are working to ensure that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
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