According to Raleigh police, a verbal altercation at Legends Nightclub on Saturday ended in an assault.
Transgender women and drag performers Jobani Leon, known as Poison, and Lotus Lolita told WRAL they were walking through the nightclub when they say one patron grabbed them several times. After they rebuffed the advances, they say things got physical.
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“He threw his beer at us, which then escalated the situation," said Leon. "Things got physical at that point, which led to being struck or him striking me with the bottle.”
The man who assaulted them got away, both Leon and Lolita were left shaken after the incident. They immediately filed a police report.
Leon was charged with simple affray on Thursday. On Instagram, Leon said she was charged because she "fought back" during the altercation.
WRAL reached out to RPD, and we were told charges are pending. Officers are working to track down the individuals involved in the assault. However, hate crime charges will not be filed. The suspects' names have not been released.
Legends Nightclub released a statement on social media reading in part, "We at legends know about the incident currently under investigation. We believe in restorative and transformative justice." The statement went on to say, "Legends has always been, and will always be, a safe place. Trans lives matter, and we stand in full solidarity with our trans and LGBTQ+ community."
Lolita told WRAL she felt the club staff and security could have broken up the fight sooner.
“It took Poison yelling at one of the bartenders to actually get them to do something, to get them to move and intervene," said Lolita.
WRAL has reached out to Legends Nightclub to see if any changes would be made in light of the assault.
To learn more about resources for LGBTQ+ community members, click here.