Hate Speech: Vegas Style

After dancing the night away with a very cute boy at Krave, I drove him back to Caesar's while the sun was coming up this past Sunday AM.  As I parked the car in the garage, we exchange a [few] kiss[es] in the privacy of my car.  A few moments later, a car parked to the left of us and I hadn't noticed until I heard them speaking.  Four guys had seen us kissing, and I expected a comment or two, but the next things I heard were shocking.  As I noticed their presence, I put a stop to the kissing so I could be aware of what was going on incase it escalated.  While I waited for them to leave, the comments became louder and more distinct.  The next thing I heard was "fucking faggots, I hope you get AIDS".  This wasn't something muttered under their breath, or said in passing - it was directed right at my car and it was loud as my windows were completely rolled up.

I couldn't believe what I just heard.  Now making note of everything I could, we waited for them to leave.  Instead of just dropping off my passenger off, I decided to make sure he made it safely to his room in case these men children thought to do something else.  On the way, I stopped by the front desk and asked to speak with a manager as I wanted to voice my concern about this abuse and to request action be taken. While we waited for a manager, the guys who attacked us left one of their friends to check in for them while they walked away. A manager greeted us (Mary Horikawa) and I explained what had happened and requested that these guests be turned away from the property - to which she replied, there was nothing they could do as it was not witnessed by any hotel personnel and the altercation did not involve physical violence.

This is COMPLETELY unacceptable. As a resident of Las Vegas - I expect the industry to protect it's citizens, who generously patronize its establishments. I am furious that this behavior is not only tolerated, but somewhat encouraged as nothing was said to these individuals who felt they could verbally abuse two people who were exchanging a kiss in their own private car. Verbal abuse is just as hurtful as physical abuse - if not more so.

I have been called 'faggot' and 'gay' before - but this stepped over the line of acceptable behavior and I will not stand by and do nothing. Caesar's management's dismissal of my complaint should not go unnoticed.  I felt completely demeaned and left with nothing but anger and disappointment that people can get away with this type of abuse.

I contacted my friend Frank who helped get in touch with Harrah's Guest Relations and Security so they can hopefully review the tapes.  Thankfully there are options: if security can see these guys yelling at my car, they have enough to escort them off the property without refund.  While my original goal was to have them escorted off property, it is now to make management aware of this and to have their supervisors coached.  She should have offered to contact security, at the very least to make them aware and to keep an eye out for them.  I am thankful to have friends who can help make this town a better place for everyone, regardless of their orientation.

I'm also thankful that I was smart enough to take a picture of their license plate:

If you are in Las Vegas, and you see this Volvo... well... you know.