Derogatory words written on Lowell man's door

LOWELL, Mass. -- A 45-year-old man says he woke up on Friday morning to find all kinds of derogatory words and phrases written in black marker on his door in Lowell.

The words “aids,” “snitch” and “get out” were written, along with gay slurs.

“This is my home. This is my comfort zone. I should not have to feel that I should open my door and have verbal attacks,” said the victim.

But he did, and he says he knows why.

“I was singled out and targeted because I was a homosexual,” said the victim.

And he’s hiding his identity out of fear.

“I feel that my safety is at risk and if my face is shown I will be attacked or I will have to constantly be looking over my shoulder,” said the victim.

Lowell police have not yet called it a hate crime, but this victim says there’s no question it was.

“The word “hate” was actually used,” said the victim.

Now he says he’s coming forward and refusing to be intimidated or ridiculed.

“I refuse, I refuse to be victimized. I refuse to not come forward and I refuse to just duck my head in the sand and act like it did not happen,” said the victim.

The victim is taking his case to the ACLU. He says he just hopes that this person is caught and prosecuted.

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