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WHEN Cameron Foley and Shaun Downey walked into the pub for a quick drink on Saturday night they had no idea how badly their night would end. Within 15 minutes the pair, who are both in their early 20s, had been subjected to a tirade of homophobic abuse that led to a friend, who had intervened on their behalf, being hospitalised with permanent facial scars. Mr Foley said he and his long-term partner had arrived at the local pub at around 11.30pm and had just sat down to enjoy a drink when a 54-year-old man allegedly started making “derogatory comments” about them. Mr Foley said the man called the pair a range of names including “queers” and “fags” before becoming physically aggressive and giving Mr Downey a back-handed slap across the face. At this stage a friend of the pair, 29-year-old Katrina Catanzariti, who knew the middle-aged aggressor, tried to calm the situation down shortly before she was flung across the room, landing on a table. READ MORE: Outcry over gay bashing READ MORE: Police yet to interview offender Emergency services were called to the pub and paramedics treated Ms Catanzariti before transporting her to hospital where she was admitted with a number of injuries, including a broken nose, a deep laceration to her head and a cracked skull. Mr Foley said he was shocked to see his friend laying on the floor in a “pool of blood”. “Blood was everywhere,” he said. “I think it’s pathetic and I think it’s wrong to allow people to be out like that.” Is homophobia a problem in Orange? Vote in the poll and have your say in the comments section below. Ms Catanzariti, who was discharged from hospital on Sunday morning, said she was still trying to come to terms with Saturday night’s events. “I’m now going to have scarring for the rest of my life on my face,” she said. “I just can’t understand why this happened.” Ms Catanzariti said it was the first time she had witnessed a violent incident such as this, despite socialising with a mix of gay and straight friends. “It’s so sad that a lot of the time the abuse comes from older gentlemen,” she said. Mr Foley said he was disappointed homophobia was still such an issue in Orange. “It’s 2013, it’s not like it’s 50 years ago,” he said. “At a time when gay marriage is being legalised all over the world it’s disappointing we’re so behind the times in Australia.” Mr Downey said he too was shocked by Saturday night’s events. “I think it’s insane, crazy, I’ve never copped that kind of attitude in Orange,” he said. “I’m not going to step foot in there [the pub] again.” Canobolas Local Area Command duty officer Dave Harvey said he couldn’t confirm the incident was a gay hate crime. However, he reminded the public if they witnessed or became involved in any incidents of homophobic violence they should contact the police and also arrange to speak to the gay and lesbian liaison officer Sergeant Jane Paroissien. “Police take any allegations of assault, no matter who is involved, seriously,” Inspector Harvey said. “People will be charged and brought before the courts.” Inspector Harvey said he didn’t believe homophobic violence was an issue in Orange. tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au

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