Trans Woman Allegedly Assaulted at Sober Metal Concert in Utah Recovery Centre
A trans woman was allegedly assaulted during a sober metal concert at an addiction recovery centre in Utah last weekend, in what she and her girlfriend suspect may have been a hate crime. The incident occurred on Sunday at Fellowship Hall in Salt Lake City, a nonprofit organisation that hosts sober events and parties for recovering alcoholics.
Details of the Alleged Assault
Anthi Lilly told ABC4 that while attending the concert, she was standing at the edge of the crowd surrounding a moshpit, where aggressive flailing and pushing are common during metal performances. Lilly said she was trying to protect "two small women" behind her as moshers engaged in "crowd killing," swinging and hitting the walls of the crowd.
"I had put my arms up to push people back when they got close, but one person, I suppose, took that as a cue to fight," Lilly explained. "Next thing I know, I was being thrown to the ground, getting punched in the face, pulling my arms up trying to protect myself. And the next thing I see is another person come in and stomping on my face multiple times, causing fractures, broken bones and now a very hefty medical bill."
Lilly added that the assault left her unconscious, and she woke up bloodied as the two men who attacked her pulled her outside.
Aftermath and Suspected Hate Crime
A GoFundMe page set up by Lilly's girlfriend, Bailey Lewis, described the assault in more detail. Lewis said she and a friend were the two women Lilly was protecting, and "she paid the price for her bravery." Lewis wrote that one man grabbed Lilly's neck, threw her to the ground, and punched her, while another stomped on her face, with no security present to intervene.
Lewis said the men attempted to continue the assault outside and only stopped after she and a friend intervened. The assault led to a broken cheekbone (ZMC fracture), a night in the ER, and consultations with police, crisis workers, and a facial trauma surgeon.
The couple suspects the assault was a hate crime because, according to them, "the perpetrator made comments that justified harming a trans woman who was protecting her partner and friend." Lilly reported the assault to police while at the hospital on Sunday, and though no suspects have been identified yet, she is working with law enforcement to find them.
Response from the Venue and Community
Fellowship Hall, the recovery centre that hosted the concert, told ABC4 it did not organise the event and merely provided the space. In a statement, they said, "Our Hearts go out to Anthi Lilly and we’re praying for her speedy recovery. Fellowship Hall has been a safe and sober community for over 50 years. We in no way condone violence or discrimination of any type or against any person. We are cooperating with police in their investigation in the hopes that justice will be served."
On the GoFundMe page, Lewis noted the couple is facing overwhelming medical costs, as well as expenses for therapy, medication, rent during recovery, and anticipated legal costs. She added, "We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support from the LGBTQ community, friends, family, and anyone else who is disturbed or affected by this."
Lilly wrote on Facebook that she blacked out during the assault, limiting her memory, but emphasised, "It was a WELL LIT venue. Someone out there had to of seen everything." The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek to identify the perpetrators.
