EXCLUSIVE: George & Chris Zander speak out about hate crime
“He pushed over a 71-year-old man, that’s evil. There’s a difference between evil and hate and that’s just evil.”
Emotions are still raw for Chris Zander as he remembers the night he and his husband George were attacked for being gay.
What shocks them most: it happened in their own community.
One that prides itself on acceptance.
“Being assaulted in the gay Mecca, in the Mecca,” Chris said.
“To have this on Arenas road just before Pride, I think that’s why people have been overwhelmed with this,” said George.
Chris suffered multiple concussions.
George broke his hip and needed surgery. He’s about a week into a painful physical therapy program, which will take him away from his work with Equality California for weeks.
“I spent the early times of this crying and I’m not a person who cries very often,” George said.
Chris says that’s his place to step in and extend a helping hand.
“Til death do us part, those words mean a lot when something like this happens, it goes straight to the heart,” Chris said.
The couple admits they’re both still filled with anger.
“I think it’s an up and down thing,” George said.
“I want to grab him by the shirt and say just listen man whatever hate and anger you have you’re taking it out on the wrong people,” Chris said of one of the suspects.
But their tempers settle thinking about their message for the LGBTQ community.
“This isn’t over. We’re still fighting for equality here. I think what’s going to be more effective is the love that they show,” said Chris.
The investigation remains ongoing by the Palm Springs Police Department. If you have information, contact PSPD or Valley CrimeStoppers at 760-341-STOP.
