By Luke Hartlaub

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On Monday, Nov. 11, Salisbury University hosted a Community Vigil and Unity Walk coordinated by the Lambda Society to support the LGBTQ+ community following a recent off-campus hate crime that has rocked the university. The event drew scores of students, faculty and local residents to the institution’s Red Square. 

The brutal beating of an adult gay male lured to an off-campus residence, which occurred on Oct. 15 and has resulted in the arrest of a dozen SU students, has been charged as a hate crime. The vigil aimed to provide a space for healing, solidarity and reflection.

Addressing Controversy

Angela Freeman, who has a doctorate in Biological Studies and is a co-coordinator for SU’s Lambda Society, was the first to speak at the vigil. She asserted that violence is never okay and that no one deserves to be beaten under any circumstances.

“I am angry that this [hate crimes] is still happening, I am angry people are excusing violence against us because we exist,” she said. “Well, heads up homophobes, transphobes, bigots and all kinds, we aren’t going anywhere. It’s been said before, but it bears repeating, we’re here, we’re queer, get used to it.”

Mark Delancey, president of Salisbury PFLAG and a friend of the victim, addressed the complexities of the recent case directly. He pushed back against rumors circulating about the victim’s actions, calling for accountability.

“There’s some rumors going around that the victim was a pedophile. Nothing, and I repeat, nothing could be further from the truth,” Delancey said. “He is the victim, blaming the victim of this crime and victim-shaming him is one of the most disgusting things I can think of.

“Stop taking the deferred focus off of what the true meaning is and the true crime that happened; this is a hate crime, a pure hate crime.”

The incident continues to raise difficult questions, as the victim was reportedly lured to the scene under the pretense of meeting a 16-year-old, which is the legal age of consent in Maryland. While the investigation is ongoing, these allegations have sparked intense debate both on and off campus.

Leaders Condemn Hate and Call for Action

University President Dr. Carolyn Lepre reaffirmed SU’s commitment to inclusivity, condemning the attack and calling for community resilience.

“Hate has no place at Salisbury University,” Lepre said. “The real story [of SU] is of support, inclusion and resilience.”

Zebadiah Hall, SU’s Vice President of Inclusion, Access, and Belonging, urged attendees to turn the moment into meaningful action.

“Start the difficult conversations with your sphere of influence,” Hall said, emphasizing the need for ongoing dialogue to confront prejudice.

Salisbury City Council President D’Shawn Doughty also addressed the crowd, calling the attack a stark reminder of the work still needed to combat hate.

“The attack was a brutal reminder of the hate that still lingers,” Doughty said. “As we honor resilience, we are also taking a stand.”

Incident During Vigil

Approximately 20 minutes into the event, at 3:24 P. M., attendees reported hearing a slur shouted from the direction of St. Martin Hall. The slur, directed at the LGBTQ+ community, disrupted the solemn atmosphere of the vigil. Salisbury University Police Department officers were seen moving swiftly toward the area, but no immediate updates were provided.

A Community at a Crossroads

The vigil and unity walk were designed to foster healing and solidarity; the event certainly generated a strong showing from the campus community. Nonetheless, the lingering complexities of the incident and the surrounding controversies present ongoing challenges. As the investigation unfolds, the university and community face the dual task of addressing hate while confronting broader societal questions.

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Featured image courtesy: Colin McEvers/The Bury Post