Victim of Antigay Hate Crime Blames Trump for Divisive Culture

Since Donald Trump was elected president, there has been a spike in hate crimes, many of which have targeted LGBT people, with some victims blaming Trump's divisive rhetoric -- and one of the latest to call him out is a business owner in San Diego.

Mark Zschiesche, the co-owner of the popular Lips Drag Queen Showplace restaurant chain, recently reported that he had been attacked by a male assailant in the North Park neighborhood of San Diego. Zschiesche immediately took to social media, beaten and bruised in an emotional video post, to recount his assault. "Look at my face," he said. "Somebody beat me because I am gay, and I blame Trump and all those who support him." Zschiesche wasn't confident that he would be able to identify his attacker because the incident happened so fast. "I'm fortunate enough to have lived a good portion of my life in New York," he added. "When you live in New York, you just feel like you can walk and you won't have a problem. I guess we all have to be a little more alert now when we go out."

Now Zschiesche says these statements were "a little dramatic," but he does believe divisions in the country pose a danger to LGBT people. He also issued this follow up statement:

I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful well wishes and support.

Sorry if I have not responded to those of you who have reached out.

I will spend the next few weeks resting and recovering.

I experienced a hate crime Saturday night and the emotions are high, I think the hateful attack affects me more than the pain and bruising to my face.

I am doing better, but need rest...just all black and bruised, and grateful it was not worse.

We are living in new times so everyone please be alert and careful. There is a lot of hate and fear out there after this election but we must move forward or the HATE will win.

This hateful attack is not just about me.

It's bigger than that; it's about anyone who has experienced discrimination, experienced hatred, experienced the fear of walking down the street just being who they are.

I want to turn this negative into a positive. Let's all give someone a hug today. let's spread LOVE not hate. Let's remember today no matter what skin color you have, no matter what religion you practice and no matter who you LOVE ...we are all people and we are all AMERICANS....LOVE TO ALL.

---Mark Zschiesche Yvonne Lame