Luke Stevens, 22, (pictured left) was arrested Thursday when a police officer saw Steven’s punch a 32-year-old man outside him punch a 32-year-old man outside Club Q the ONLY “gay bar” in Lincoln Nebraska.

Witnesses and the victim told police Stevens yelled derogatory terms about his sexual orientation before he hitting him, Stevens had been in the gay bar with a friend Thursday night and police believe he got upset after a woman turned him down.

Police officer chased Stevens briefly after witnessing the punch, took him to the ground and handcuffed him. He was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault, resisting arrest and failure to comply.  Under Nebraska law, penalties can be enhanced if a person is convicted of committing certain offenses because of the victim’s “race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability

Lincoln police have classified 16 incidents as hate crimes.
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