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On August 18, 2006, seven young Black women, now known as the New Jersey 7, were walking in New York City. But when 28-year-old filmmaker Dwayne Buckle catcalled 19-year-old Patreese Johnson, the night took a terrifying turn.
“Mister, I’m gay,” said Johnson, hoping Buckle would leave them alone. In fact, all seven women were lesbians. Instead, the rejected man grew angry – and started choking, punching, and yelling, “Lesbian bitches, I’ll fuck you straight!” But they fought back.
When Buckle pulled chunks out of another of the women’s hair, Johnson stabbed him with a knife. He still didn’t give up, and eventually bystanders ran to defend them.
Despite this being a clear sexist and homophobic attack, the women were charged with “gang” assault and attempted murder. Headlines like “Attack of the Killer Lesbians” saturated the media.
Johnson, the last to be eventually released from prison, served over seven years.
Black lesbians aren’t the major “killers” though.
Lesbian, bisexual, and queer women are only 3% of all U.S. women, but are so overcriminalized they make up 42% of women in prison. And masculine-appearing Black lesbians specifically are frequently labeled as "violent" and "criminal."
True justice for the New Jersey 7 is something we must continue to fight for: working to eliminate homophobia and sexism in our communities, and abolishing the criminal legal system that perpetuates it!