A recording artist assaulted by youths yelling anti-gay slurs in the East Village left the hospital Monday, his leg in a brace and his jaw wired shut because of the injuries he had suffered.
Kevin Aviance clutched a bouquet of yellow roses from a well-wisher, and a framed photo of himself in performance costume and makeup, as he was wheeled out of Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan.
Aviance, 38, who performs in drag, appeared on the Billboard dance music charts in 2002 and 2004 with his songs "Give It Up" and "Alive."
His lawyer, Jay Sanchez, spoke on his behalf as he left the hospital.
"Kevin's in a lot of pain, both physical and mentally, and he faces a long road toward recovery. Still, Kevin does want me to stress today that he is extremely appreciative to everyone who's lent him and his family their support at this very difficult time," Sanchez said.
His publicist, Len Evans, said Aviance's jaw will be wired shut for about 2 1/2 weeks. The singer also suffered a fractured left knee, which he had in a brace.
Evans said earlier that Aviance still hopes to participate in the Gay Pride parade at the end of the month.
On Sunday, speaking with difficulty from his hospital bed, Aviance told reporters that he hoped the incident raises more attention about such attacks. "If nothing else, I hope it brings more awareness."
Aviance was set upon at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday on a street corner. Evans said Aviance could hear passers-by yelling at the attackers to stop. When it was over, a stranger walked him to a hospital.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg called the attack "a disgrace."
Four people were arrested on charges of first-degree assault as a hate crime. Police identified them as Jarell Sears, of Newark, N.J., and Akino George, of the Bronx, both 20; Gregory Archie, 18, and Gerard Johnson, 16, both of Manhattan. Johnson was charged as an adult.
yahoo
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