Philadelphia LGBTQ Activist Attacked on PRIDE

At midnight after Philadelphia's Pride, Rizzo Mertz was attacked and beaten on the 300 block of Chestnut Street by a group of teenagers. He was rushed to Jefferson's Emergency Dept where imaging showed he suffered a concussion and fractures to his nose, face, and jaw. One fracture in particular may become a full break if he chews solid food. The doctors have him on a liquid-only diet to avoid a future emergency surgery.

Rizzo is a gay activist who supports the LGBTQ community by serving on Philadelphia's LGBTQ Police Liaison Committee, a resource for members of the LGBTQ community hesitant about contacting police. LGBTQ people who are victims of crimes and are fearful to call the police can call members of the LGBTQ Police Liaison committee instead. Committee members help them decide whether to contact the police, walk them through the process, arrange for statements to be taken at another location besides a police station or take a statement and provide it to police themselves.

This GoFundMe is set up to directly pay for Rizzo's medical expenses, lost pay due to time off from work, and immediate needs that arise from the assault. The donation organizer is Rizzo's roommate, Matthew Seasock. Any donation will greatly help him.

The Philadelphia Gay News has published the full story here.
The Philadelphia Inquirer has published the story here .