Gay Republican assaulted for political activism

This morning, Daily Caller was kind enough to publish an article I wrote about a vicious assault done to Kyle Wood, a gay volunteer for a Republican campaign in Wisconsin. Kyle ended up in the hospital:

Kyle Wood, a full-time volunteer working for GOP House candidate Chad Lee, was hospitalized for injuries suffered during what he said was an assault at his home.

Wood told The Daily Caller that vandalism preceding the assault, along with his attacker’s statements during the incident, suggested his sexual orientation and his politics each played a role.

“I was getting ready for work and there was a knock at the door,” Wood emailed The Daily Caller late Wednesday. “I opened it, and a guy wrapped a ligature around my neck, slammed my head into the doorway, and smashed my face into a mirror, telling me ‘You should have kept your [f*******] mouth shut.’”

“He then kidney-punched me, while at the same time saying I was ‘warned,’ and continued to beat me,” he added.

Kyle has refused to be intimidated, though:

Wood said his attacker’s reference to a warning likely pointed to graffiti he found painted on his car last week. The vandalism included the phrases “house trained republican faggot,” “traitor,” and “ur like a jew 4 hitler.”

….

After he discovered the graffiti, Wood wrote an open letter on Facebook to the unknown vandal. “If you understand either freedom or me at all,” he wrote, “you would that this will only make me work harder. … You can think whatever you like about me, but I will not be bullied into voting for a gay man simply because I am gay.”

He’s also standing up against his unknown assailant:

“I will not be bullied, intimidated or threatened into abandoning my moral values,” Wood told TheDC late Wednesday.

People can come to their own conclusions regarding the assault, and comments below it show many already have. Some are saying this is how the left reacts to gay people who don’t support Democrats. Others are saying the assault never happened, that I am making it up. I did not write the article for these or other shallow political reasons, and those who come to those conclusions do so on their own. The focus here should not be about political viewpoints or sexuality. The focus should be on condemning any and all forms of intimidation against someone for his or her sexuality, political views, etc.
I have little doubt the attacker was acting alone. I am hopeful that Lee’s openly gay opponent, or departing Representative Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), who is running to be the first openly gay senator in America, will respond to my requests for comment. This kind of despicable act deserves and requires across-the-board condemnation, the sooner the better.
Kyle appears to be doing well, but kind thoughts and prayers are still requested.
Crossposted in the Hot Air Green Room.

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