Sixteen-year-old transgender teen Jayden Tkaczyk was brutally attacked at a party in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and the incident is being investigated as a potential hate crime.
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| Jayden Tkaczyk via AP |
The incident occurred over Labor Day weekend when Jayden was at an outdoor gathering. According to his lawyer, Craig Rourke, a group of teens targeted him, chasing him into the woods and calling him slurs. The Associated Press reports that about half a dozen teenagers were involved, while NBC News estimates the attackers were around 20 to 30 people.
Jayden recounted the terrifying moment, saying, "One second I was having fun, the next second I was on the ground getting my face stomped and beat up." The attackers repeatedly used a homophobic slur while punching and stomping him.
After the assault, Jayden managed to escape into a wooded area and call 911. He was later found by police and taken to the hospital, where he was treated for serious injuries, including a head injury, a broken facial bone, nerve damage, and bruising.
Jayden has been bullied for years because he is transgender. He was allegedly removed from the high school football team for this reason, and he recognized many of his attackers as members of that team. His mother confirmed the years of bullying, telling NBC, “He’s been bullied by these children for years because he’s trans.”
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| The Pride Progress flag Mike Kemp/Getty Images |
The incident has sparked discussions about whether the attack should be classified as a hate crime. Gloucester police have launched a civil rights investigation, but as of now, Police Chief Edward Conley said it’s "too early to tell" if it will be considered a hate crime.
However, Jayden's mother believes the nature of the attack and the repeated use of slurs clearly make it a hate crime, stating, “Stomping on my son’s head and saying that slur is a hate crime.”
The rise in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people, especially in schools, has been highlighted across the country. Jayden’s case is sadly not isolated. The Washington Post reported an increase in hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ students, especially in states where laws have been passed that restrict the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in schools.
Earlier this year, in Oklahoma, a 16-year-old named Nex Benedict died by suicide after being attacked in a school bathroom, following repeated bullying for being LGBTQ+.
Read here: Suicide of Non-Binary Teen Highlights LGBTQ+ Youth Struggles
The Gloucester community remains tense, as posts on social media have surfaced justifying the attack on Jayden, adding to his family’s distress. His mother expressed her fears, saying, "This has always been my worst fear as a mom of a trans teen. A lot of them are proud of what they did, and it’s wrong."
Despite the physical and emotional trauma, Jayden has shown remarkable resilience. Reflecting on the attack, he said, “I hope that the people that have hate in their heart find and seek inner happiness within themselves and inner peace.”
A detective trained in civil rights cases is leading the investigation, and the police are working closely with the Essex County District Attorney’s office to ensure justice is served.
As the investigation continues, Jayden and his family are pushing for the attack to be officially recognized as a hate crime, pointing to the use of slurs and the history of bullying that Jayden has suffered. For now, they are focused on his recovery, both physically and emotionally, as they seek justice for the violent assault.