After many years of relative safety in the Sacramento area, the last several have seen virulent protest from radical fundamentalists including many Slavic church groups. Over the 4th of July weekend, Nathan Feldman reports, "the homophobic hatred turned deadly." Satendar Singh was killed in an attack at Lake Natomas on Sunday by a group of Russian-speaking men after they perceived him as gay. Satendar was a recent immigrant to America from Fiji, having won a lottery for a green card. Satendar earned the nickname "The Lucky One" among his family and friends.

A group of Slavic men picnicking with their families at the lake allegedly noticed that Satendar did not have a female date, and that he danced with both women and men in his party. Witnesses reported that the attackers began hurling anti-gay and racist invectives. As things escalated, the attackers sent their families home and called for backup. When a new group of men showed up, the party tried to leave, but was blocked by the attackers. One of the men struck Satendar, who fell unconscious, his head bleeding profusely. As the attackers went to their cars to get away, they hurled bottles at the members of Satendar’s party, which included a young woman who is 6 months pregnant.

Satendar Singh was taken to Mercy San Juan hospital, where tests indicated no brain activity. Over 100 family members and friends went to the hospital to be with him in his final days, and he died on July 5th. Singh's parents live in Fiji and are not able to come to Sacramento. Singh’s body will be transported back to Fiji for burial. Local memorial services for Satendar are being planned. His family asks that people show up to express support, as well as opposition to violence and intolerance.

Click here for information about a fund for Satendar's family, as well as case updates | Being Gay Today | Out Sacramento