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A lesbian couple out for the night in Morgan Hill, California seem to have had no choice but to defend their lives, after being apparently sexually harassed and attacked by three men. All too often we hear of a dead LGBTI person, unable to thwart physical assault. Now the two women are facing serious charges, detained with unaffordable bail, while their attackers are free.

Tori Sanchez and Alexandria Campos were arrested shortly after the July 7 attack outside a local bar.

According to a press report:

“A night of drinking in downtown Morgan Hill nearly turned deadly for three men who were allegedly stabbed by a lesbian couple after sexually harassing the women.

The men were stabbed in various parts of their body, including the groin, back, arms, and shoulder.

Tori Sanchez and Alexandria Campos were arrested shortly after the July 7 attack.

According to investigators, the two women encountered the men at The Hill Bar & Grill.

Sanchez told police the men were “harassing them all night by touching, groping and flirting with them.”

Sanchez and Campos are romantically involved, according to police reports.

The couple decided to leave the bar and walked across the street to the M&H Tavern. The three men followed them.

Both parties stayed at the bar until it closed, after which the attack occurred.

I spoke directly to a family member of one of the women who said the women were acting in self-defense. He also told me that they have no prior criminal record.

Both women are scheduled to be in court July 20 for arraignment. They remain in the county with bail set at $175,000 each.

The Police originally booked the women for attempted murder. However prosecutors have now charged them with a lesser charge of assault with a deadly weapon. This adds to the fact that their story of self-defense is credible.  No two women would take on 3 men unless forced to through self-defense. I also believe the bail should be reduced.  According to the family member, the women are not flight risks and want this matter cleared up to the point of their vindication.

My question is why are the 3 men free and uncharged? Is it simply easier to charge 2 lesbians who bear less physical wounds?  Is this sloppy investigating? Or just an attempt at securing what seems like an easier conviction because of how the injuries present?  Where is the opportunity for real justice? The mere fact of injury ought not absolve the men! Apparently they have been released from the hospital.   They are not victims in this! If the women are found not guilty – will the men THEN be arrested for assault, sexual assault, attempted rape? And does their alleged sexual assault of the women disappear because the women had to defend themselves?

Self-defense is more than a mere defense in circumstances where women are harassed and threatened with violence, especially LGBTI people who are often harassed and usually as a matter of hate. I believe such defensive actions are tantamount to a right.

Imagine a threat or attack as profoundly terrifying as 3 men versus 2 women:  The only self-defense remedy, knowing one cannot outrun or overpower, would obviously result in the infliction of serious wounds. How else would the women have got away?

When asked to describe the women the family member noted: “They have been together since high school, for 5 or 6 years,” she said. “They are both sweet loving women. They are hard workers, animal lovers, and always there for friends and family. They are very open with everyone about their sexuality and came out when they were really young.”

LGBTQI community – lets support our sisters in their quest for fairness and  justice!

By Melanie Nathan
@MelanieNathan1

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