Officials say hate crimes are on the rise in Seattle. At a March 3 forum called by Council Member Kshama Sawant to discuss how to “end” this trend, Mayor Ed Murray’s solution was more diversity in the police force. Others are calling for an LGBTQ youth shelter.

Officials say hate crimes are on the rise in Seattle. At a March 3 forum called by Council Member Kshama Sawant to discuss how to “end” this trend, Mayor Ed Murray’s solution was more diversity in the police force. Others are calling for an LGBTQ youth shelter. Alex Garland

On February 13, performer Bret Fetzer was walking down 11th Avenue toward Pine Street after seeing a play at Annex Theatre, when a man began talking at him, following him to the bus stop, and calling him “faggot.” When Fetzer turned to face him, the man smashed a beer bottle into the side of his head.

Fetzer was lucky to walk away with little more than a big, bloody bruise on the side of his jaw. Seattle police say they have no leads on the perpetrator.

At a public forum on March 3 called “End Hate Crimes Against the LGBTQ Community!” held at All Pilgrims Christian Church on Capitol Hill, speakers told plenty more stories like Fetzer’s. They spoke of a pervasive atmosphere of fear and intimidation in their community—of feeling unsafe on Capitol Hill, especially at night.