Two young transgender girls punched, threatened at Docklands fundraiser

A brutal attack on two young transgender girls in the Docklands over the weekend has left Melbourne’s proud LGBTQI community reeling.

Melbourne’s queer community is reeling after two young transgender women were bashed and threatened with a knife at a Docklands rave during annual pride celebrations.

It is understood that a group of about three men approached the girls, known as Chyna and Quinn, asking for cigarettes, at a fundraiser for the Turkey-Syria earthquakes Wharf Rd, near Westgate Park, about 3am on Sunday.

In what close friends have described as a “targeted hate crime”, the group began hurling transphobic slurs at the pair, labelling them “t-----s”, upon realising they were transgender.

A man then punched Quinn, knocking her to the ground, while one kicked Chyna, threatening to “ f-----g end” the women with a knife that another man was allegedly carrying.

“I’m punched again then another guy gets in my face telling me to back (the) f--k up telling me that he’s got a knife and that he’s gonna f-----g end me,” Quinn said in an Instagram post.

“She (Chyna) was on the floor with the guys ganging up on her, her hair ripped out clothes ripped whilst they’re screaming death threats,” she said.

Transgender woman Chyna was left bloodied and bruised by mystery attackers in Docklands early on Sunday February 19. Picture: Supplied

“My mind is in shambles, almost thinking we deserve this because the fight we have to keep fighting is brutal and ruthless … Change starts now.”

In the wake of the attack, Chyna said the ordeal, which left her with a bruised eye, swollen gum and cuts on her face, was “humiliating and traumatic”.

“It’s something I have to live with. My first encounter with hate crime and violence targeted towards trans people, dwelling on what happened is only going to be more destructive,” she said.

“What we can do now is enforce safe spaces, protect trans individuals and make it known to organisations that we matter and deserve to be heard.”

Levi Cross, a friend of Quinn’s, told the Herald Sun Melbourne’s whole queer community felt the impact of the alleged attack against Quinn and Chyna.

“When someone in the community is treated like this, we all feel it,” he said.

“There has been a lot of emotion. Seeing everyone come together has been very moving”

It is believed that Melbourne-based events and promotions company Al Gharib organised the street rave.

Transgender women Quinn and Chyna suffered cuts on their face and a bruised lip . Picture: Supplied

An outpouring of support for the pair has erupted on social media, and a fundraiser organised by a close friend of both girls has so far raised more than $22,000.

The rave aimed to raise money for victims and families impacted by the Turkey-Syria earthquakes, which have so far killed more than 47,000, including 69-year-old Greenvale man Suat Bayram.

Attendees said the event “wasn’t safe to begin with” because there was no security like at other structured festivals and concerts.

A Victoria Police spokesman said detectives from Melbourne’s Embona taskforce, which investigates robberies, were probing the reported attack.

He said a second woman was assaulted when she tried to help fend off the attackers.

“The men then fled the scene on foot with one of the victim’s bags,” he said.

The attack comes as annual pride celebrations kick off around Australia, with the annual World Pride festival currently underway in Sydney.

Chyna and Quinn were allegedly beaten just days after two teens were charged over the alleged murder of transgender 16-year-old Brianna Ghey in the United Kingdom.

Al Gharib has been contacted for comment.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Two young transgender girls punched, threatened at Docklands fundraiser