Berkeley Professor Says He Was Beaten, Likely Gay-Bashed, on Pride Saturday in Dolores Park

Damon Young, a gay professor of film media and French at UC Berkeley, reported being assaulted by a group of teenagers in Dolores Park on June 28, the Saturday of Pride Weekend. While walking home to feed his dog, Young was confronted by a male suspect who accused him of allowing his dog to urinate on his shoe, which escalated into a physical attack. Young was punched multiple times in the face, resulting in a concussion and soft-tissue damage. Despite calling for help from nearby revelers, no one intervened, and firefighters nearby directed him to find a police officer, which he could not locate. After the attack, he declined an ambulance due to concerns for his dog and drove home instead.

His boyfriend later took him to UCSF Parnassus for medical evaluation. Young has filed a police report, and authorities are examining whether the attack was motivated by hate. The police confirmed that no suspects have been identified as of yet.