Washington — HRC President Chad Griffin released the following statement regarding the beating of Mallory Owens, an Alabama lesbian who was violently attacked by her girlfriend’s brother on Thanksgiving:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Mallory Owens and her family as she recovers from the horrific injuries she sustained on Thanksgiving Day. Violence against anyone – no matter what the motivation – is never acceptable. We call on both Alabama and federal law enforcement officials to thoroughly and swiftly investigate this crime to ensure Mallory’s attacker is brought to justice.”

Living openly as an LGBT person in America takes a tremendous amount of courage, and moments like this remind us of the obligation we have to continue creating safer environments – particularly for vulnerable LGBT youth. No one who is brave enough to be open and honest in their local community should ever fear for their well-being or personal safety.”

HRC has reached out to the Department of Justice and the FBI to urge them to investigate the incident and provide any needed assistance to local law enforcement. Alabama has no hate crime protections that cover sexual orientation and gender identity.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC and the HRC Foundation strive to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.