Even with the whole city of Dallas on alert, violent robberies targeting gay and bisexual men in the entertainment district of Oak Lawn have been unceasing since September; the latest victim was a 54-year-old man pushed, kicked, and called gay slurs.
Police are already calling the Tuesday attack -- which took place around 10:30 p.m. in the parking lot behind the Round-Up Saloon -- a hate crime. The victim said he was targeted by two tall white men that have not yet been identified by police.
Earlier this month, Dallas police arrested two African-American men for a robbery involving a woman in a nearby area; police thought the suspects were connected to the Oak Lawn assaults, but as the attacks there continued, their involvement became unclear. The 14 Oak Lawn victims, who've since launched a support group, have offered differing descriptions of suspects, including people of all races and even a woman. Police may be dealing with multiple groups of people committing the violent robberies in Oak Lawn.
Dallas officials, including police and Mayor Mike Rawlings, have committed $1 million to improve lighting in the bars and parking lots of Oak Lawn.
While many in Dallas's gay community are worried about the repercussions of getting a drink at night, violent crime is actually down 14 percent in Oak Lawn, reports Towleroad.
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