Two charged with Sydney bashing of trans* woman
Image: Assault victim Stephanie McCarthy after her attack at Newtown's Town Hall Hotel.
Two men will face court next month charged in connection with an assault on trans* woman Stephanie McCarthy earlier this month which has sparked ongoing protests in Sydney’s LGBTI-centric Inner West suburb of Newtown.
NSW Police has confirmed a man was arrested on Friday at an address in Balmain, also in Sydney’s Inner West, while clothing and a small quantity of cannabis were seized.
“A 22-year-old man was charged with recklessly inflicting grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, affray and possessing a prohibited drug,” Police told the Star Observer in a statement.
Earlier in the week, a 23-year-old was arrested at Newtown Police Station and charged with affray.
Both men have been granted conditional bail and will face court on 9 July.
It’s alleged the pair assaulted a woman in the early hours of Saturday 6 June at Newtown’s Town Hall hotel.
McCarthy was due to play a gig at the venue, also known as the Townie, on Friday night with her band Love Maul.
She alleges the men followed her around prior to the incident which left her with a black eye, bloodied lip and bruising.
Around 200 people attended a rally in Newtown last Monday (8 June) where McCarthy told the crowd: “This is not a women’s issue, or a transgender issue, or a gay and lesbian issue – this is everyone’s issue.”
The venue has copped criticism following their response to the incident with suggestions the culprits may have managed to leave the venue before police arrived and CCTV footage was too indistinct to identify those allegedly involved.
Last Sunday, police barricaded the entrance to the pub as protesters gathered outside chanting, “no transphobia,” and, “shame, Townie shame”.
Protesters returned to the venue last night while police again surrounded the premises.
The venue defended itself on Facebook and said it aimed to provide a safe and inclusive venue for all members of the community.
“A recent unfortunate incident of unwarranted violence against another person has been both shocking and deeply regrettable,” said a statement posted immediately after the incident and attributed to “The Townie Management Team”.
Despite the ordeal, McCarthy has remained definite.
Late last week, she posted on Twitter: “Getting bashed for being trans only makes me more determined to keep fighting for trans rights.
“Trans folks are here – deal with it.”
Police say investigations into the incident continue and have urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the Crime Stoppers website.
As we have a homophobic government , he said it makes him feel uncomfortable, and, admittedly Tony is “great mates” with his Trans * friend Cate, we should expect a degree of push on Trans* issues not of course taking into account that his sister is a Lesbian.
Why oh why are we governed by dinosaurs where inhumanity covers virtually every aspect of Australian decision making now ?
Am ashamed to see Australia heading so fast down this path of disgusting attitudes.
We we have this ugly and ridiculous Freedom agenda it instigates people to hate.
Our country has set an ugly tone towards diversity and difference
We need greater leadership in our political elite
Vile sick scum bashing a woman I hope karma catches up with them arseholes
good
Dean Arrow
Gabe Leo Thomas
they found them? cool!
they found them only because of people protesting and media reporting about it.. If it wasn’t for that the cops would do absolutely nothing to find them
What does Hill Song & that misguided Canberra couple think about this poor innocent victim? After all, ‘THEY,’ by their nasty, bigoted comments are helping to fuel the flames of hatred in the community. Christ must be crying tears of blood. Please! – more empathy; not judgement.
In Newtown??? Did no one see it and intervene?
How come in America if your a transgender you get a TV show you get on the cover of vanity and here in Australia you get a police mug shot for being assaulted disgusting Australia get with the programme
What programme? Glittering up a issue a serious issue is not the best way to go about it.
Showing people the raw reality impacts harder than a glitter bombardment.
Belle Black
Finally some thug is being done about it
l hope the scum that did this get the book thrown at them, l sure hope the woman who suffered gets all the support she could ever need
Me too. Such punishment should deter the low lifes who did this.
What brave men they were, bashing a woman. At the least they should be held down while the victim is allowed to deliver one VERY well aimed kick while wearing steel capped boots, right between their legs. That would be just punishment for any man who bashes a woman. Hope she is doing ok.
yes, agree only maybe a well placed kick with a high heel shoe!
How horrible !
Crikey!!!! What has happen to Newtown?
I’m so sorry to read of this poor woman’s assault…disgusting….perhaps a few of these Homophobes need a good old Homo-floggin to give them something to really hate…pack of absolute bastards.
We desperately need hate crime laws right now in NSW!
Prevention of Hate Crimes Bill 2015
[Amend NSW Legislation] Add: – “actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity or HIV status”.
Add: – “Sentencing of life imprisonment”
That should fix it!
It’s a sad fact of life that we have put up with An inadequate judicial system presided over by politicians who have no concept of public expectations. On how this type of behaviour should be handled.
Personally speaking a slice of Singapore law would fit the bill here very nicely.
counselling in sydney is available for anyone suffering. if you know someone or are yourself in need then seek help http://www.counselling.sydney
Townie was my pub 5 years or so back. One of the most friendly and welcoming places I’ve ever drunken at. So disappointed that this could happen there.
We must actively promote safe place. Newtown seemed to have changed over the last five years drawing in diff set of crowds. It feels quite a bit unsafe these days and therefore the recent changes to demography of visitors is very sad. We need some strong policy of LGBTIQ safe places.
Disgusting thing to do to anyone
Still a long way to go!
How sick r some people them 2 men should named an shamed
And put in jail.
Tony Abbott and co should be in jail for life, because of giving money to people smugglers and for homophobic crimes when he said he is “threatened by homosexuality” quote back in 2010!
Vote 1 Greens!
Affray??? What about common assault charge
Do we not have laws for hate crimes????
Not for LGBTI issues in NSW. They are only applicable to racially based attacks. It time that changed though.
What happened to the anti vilification laws?
Inner west venue staff clearly require re-education. Newtown has long since been the rainbow friendly suburb, with more and more of our venues loosing their pro-GLBTQI vibe.
Perhaps we should unify as a community and strategize on how we can claim back our community spaces.
Perhaps we need to reintroduce the age old Acon safe space triangle logo from aons back – awarding the logo only to venues deserving of its safe space status and publically removing it from venues that fail this safe space atmosphere
xoxoxo
Relaunched a couple of years ago: http://www.acon.org.au/safeplace