Queer Youth Assaulted by Coffeshop Owner…Direct Action Planned for 1/30

Posted on21 January 2011. Tags: Middletown, queer activism, queer liberation

t/uploads/2011/01/qlf-70×70.jpg” alt=”" width=”70″ height=”70″ />(Middletown) Thanks to our friends at Queerartist, we’ve recently received a report from the mother of a local 18 year old (who wishes to remain anonymous to protect their identity) alleging that on December 18th, 2010, her child was verbally and physically assaulted by the owner of Javapalooza in Middletown. The incident started after owner Neil Dinerman asked the victim and two friends to remove a Dunkin’ Donuts’ coffee cup from the premises. According to witnesses, the victim complied but then the owner proceeded to grab them by the shirt

and forced them to leave the shop while hurling insults and calling them a ‘dick-sucking faggot’.

When asked to comment about the incident, Dinerman called the report “an outright lie”, claiming that when he asked the youths to remove the offending

Dunkin Donuts’ cup, they refused to do so and laughed at his request. Dinerman admitted that he used harsh language when demanding they leave, but claims he did not use homophobic language when doing so, saying, “Yeah, I told them to get the fuck out, but I don’t recall saying anything beyond that”.

According to their website, the Queer Liberation Front is calling on queers and allies alike to join them on Sunday January 30th @ 12pm at Javapalooza for a “teach-in” and “know your rights” discussion. They will then present the owner of the coffee shop with a letter demanding an apology.

For more info: Queer Liberation Front