Cayla Calhoun, a 43-year-old bartender and sommelier at Annabelle, was violently attacked in what D.C. police are investigating as a suspected anti-trans hate crime.
Calhoun, riding her Onewheel through Georgetown on the evening of June 29, was confronted near Rock Creek Parkway by three men on scooters who shouted anti-LGBTQ slurs. According to Metro Weekly, one of the assailants pushed her forcefully off her board, causing her to collide with a tree. Struggling to escape, Calhoun lost consciousness and was later found by emergency responders at 6 a.m. near 19th Street and Constitution Avenue NW.
Hospitalized with serious head and bodily injuries, including a shredded, bloody skirt, Calhoun told The Advocate that much of her personal evidence was discarded by hospital staff who mistakenly assumed she was homeless. “By the time police realized who I was, a lot of that initial evidence was gone,” she recalled.
Footage from nearby surveillance cameras and witness accounts have confirmed that the suspects hurled explicit anti-trans slurs at her before the assault. D.C. police are actively searching for the three men and categorizing the incident as a suspected hate crime.
The attack adds to a harrowing trend of violence against transgender individuals in the city, echoing other recent incidents such as the fatal shooting of Dream Johnson on July 5, which is still under review as to whether it qualifies as a hate crime.
Local LGBTQ advocates have expressed outrage and concern. They emphasize that Calhoun’s attack is symptomatic of broader societal transphobia and humiliation toward transgender individuals—particularly transgender women. The fact that first responders and hospital staff mishandled evidence and perception only deepens the pain, advocates say.
The community is now supporting Calhoun, who is still recovering. A GoFundMe campaign, established to assist with mounting medical bills and recovery, is gaining momentum, reflecting an outpouring of solidarity from friends, colleagues, and allies.
Why this matters:
- Transgender women face disproportionate violence. This harrowing incident underscores the deadly realities that trans people, especially women, confront daily.
- Every detail matters in hate crime investigations. Discarded evidence and delayed recognition can threaten accountability and justice.
- Community solidarity is essential. Amidst trauma and fear, collective support remains a vital lifeline.
What’s next:
- D.C. police have asked any witnesses or anyone with surveillance footage to come forward.
- Activists are urging city leaders and hospitality establishments to implement safety training and strengthen protections for trans patrons and workers.
- Many are calling on the D.C. government to elevate and enforce hate crime legislation and to ensure proper training for first responders.
Calhoun’s resilience shines through despite her ordeal. Her story is a potent reminder of the urgent need to stand with trans women, not just in solidarity, but in systems: from policing to healthcare. Cayla’s words about the missing evidence are chilling in their simplicity: “They mistook me for homeless.” That misstep isn’t just insensitive; it’s dangerous.
