JOAN-E’S RAG: TRAGEDY AT THE FOUNTAINHEAD

I know that many of you have already heard the tragic story that played itself out at the Fountainhead pub recently. Richard Dowrey, a decade-long regular of the Davie St. pub, is playing a game of pool when suddenly he shares a short verbal exchange with another patron. He returns to his game, is attacked from behind, falls to the ground and slips into a coma, a state in which he remains to this day in the hospital.

Richard, or Ritchie Rich, as the Fountainhead staff affectionately calls him, had never met his alleged attacker. He didn’t even know his name. After the incident, witnesses say the accused was heard telling all that would listen that “He’s a fag, he deserved it. The faggot touched me.”

“He touched me.” Ah yes, the old gay-panic defense. I remember this one. It is the same excuse used by the murderers who beat Matthew Sheppard before leaving him to die bleeding and freezing to death alone in a field in Wyoming ten short years ago.

In this particular case, the accused was IN A GAY PUB, when this so-called “touch” took place.

The accused, who is in his mid thirties, has been charged with aggravated assault and the case has been referred to the hate crimes unit by Vancouver Police. He is now out on bail! He also has a restraining order that decrees that he may not come within one city block of the Fountainhead Pub.

One block? How delightful! Maybe this weekend he should come on down to 1181? Or maybe check out the Pumpjack? Or better still, why not cut out the food and beverage industry all together and book a deluxe sling room at F212? All the touching going on there would give him all the excuses he needs for another attack.

What do we need to do to feel safe on our own street in our own establishments? Do we need to paint the Fountainhead pink, play nothing but Bette Midler songs and have a big sign saying:

“This is a big gay bar where big gay men touch each other!”

I believe we need to send every bit of love and energy we can to Richard. I believe that we need to support the staff and management of the Fountainhead Pub.

I also believe that we need to do whatever it takes to bring about the change that will stop the madness that continues to effect lives as precious as Aaron Webster, Matthew Sheppard and Richard Dowrey.