Gay Man, Trans Friend Allege Brutal Attack at South Beach Burger King

A gay man and his trans friend went to a South Beach, Florida, Burger King near a gay club called Twist. They ended up fleeing the restaurant after what they allege was a bias crime assault.

Raymond Ortega and Toni Llerena had just taken their food to a table when, they allege, an employee of the fast food establishment approached them and told them to leave. She followed up by calling them "fucking faggot," the two allege. A security guard then intervenes and, after repeating the slur, allegedly pummeled Ortega so badly that his jaw was broken, an injury requiring more than $10,000 in dental work. Ortega's knee was also injured, he says, and he walks with a limp months later, reports the Miami Herald.

"I was at Burger Kind at Eleventh and Washington," Ortega narrates in a video posted at the Miami Herald's site. "Me and my friend were just eating... the employee and security guard came to us, to our table, even though the whole restaurant's packed, and tell us we have to get up and leave.

"And as we're leaving, the employee that kicked us out called us 'fucking faggots,' and that's when I turned around and I told the security guard, "You see, that's not fair... she's calling us faggots for absolutely no reason.' And he, as well, said 'You guys have to leave, you fucking faggots,' and I sort of said, 'How would you like it if this was your son and you're kicking us out for this reason?' And about two seconds after that he makes me and T-Lo, and... I get punched repeatedly. Broke my jaw, my tooth; he hit my leg, and I was dragged out of the place for absolutely no reason."

Media accounts said that the two fled because they feared police would arrest them instead of the alleged assailant.

The two are now bringing suit against the restaurant over the alleged incident, which they say took place last October, the Miami Herald reports. They are also seeking the identities of the two employees, intending to press charges. As yet, however, police are not looking into the allegations, the report said.

"You would feel like it's a safe place because it's next to Twist, which is a gay bar," Ortega adds.

Miami New Times reported on the alleged attack, quoting the lawyer for the two, Matthew Ladd, who said, "My clients are victims of a hate crime."

Florida does have hate crimes legislation on the books, but as yet police are not investigating the alleged assault.

Nor is Burger King seemingly responsive. The New Times reported that the "corporate office did not respond to a request from New Times seeking comment."

However, the New Times noted, the same restaurant was the scene of another alleged anti-gay attack in 2016. The New Times article also contained a link to a story from 2011 in which it reported on a $13 million ruling against a New Jersey Burger King restaurant following a vicious beating by three employees who reportedly chased and pummeled a gay couple.

Watch the Miami Herald video below.