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Same-sex couple recovering, exploring legal options after BK Whopper Bar attack

Couple believes they were targeted for their sexual orientation

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Jordan Schaeffer still hasn’t recovered from his Miami vacation, when he and his boyfriend were beaten at a BK Whopper Bar in Miami Beach after they kissed.

The beating went on for several minutes without anyone stepping in to help. Schaeffer is now exploring his legal options.

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Schaeffer and his boyfriend are also concerned that the Whopper Bar didn't have security, as records indicate that the same location has a history of similar attacks.

"We're in 2016 and, especially in a city like Miami Beach, where I thought being homosexual would be pretty accepted, it's just not -- it's not right," Schaffer said.

Schaeffer, 25, and his boyfriend, Eric Danko, 25, were inside the restaurant at 1101 Washington Ave. for a late bite on March 14.

Surveillance video shows an unknown man taking off his flip-flops, confronting Schaeffer and then hurling gay slurs at the couple.

Schaeffer said the man "was clearly intoxicated and clearly just looking for someone to fight."

Two other men joined in the fight as bystanders watched.

Some people did try to separate the men.

Danko went after the men after they left the Whopper Bar and got into another fight with them about a block away.

"We believe that this was a hate crime perpetrated against Jordan because of his sexual orientation," Schaeffer's attorney, Douglas Ede, said.

An arrest hasn't been made. Miami Beach police are asking for anyone with more information to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

This story comes from our sister station WPLG.


About the Author
Andrew Perez headshot

Andrew Perez is a South Florida native who joined the Local 10 News team in May 2014.

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