A Kansas University student is planning a candlelight vigil to protest last Friday’s beating of a gay man outside the Replay Lounge, 946 Mass.

“There needs to be a community response to this – the community needs to take a stand against violence,” said Ailecia Ruscin, an American studies graduate student from Auburn, Ala.

The vigil will begin at 1:30 a.m. Friday outside the Replay Lounge. It’s expected to last about 30 minutes.

“I know that’s a hard time for some people, but it’s symbolic. It’s one week after the attack happened,” Ruscin said.

Ruscin says she is acquainted with the victim.

“I know him from hanging out at the Replay,” she said. “He’s an acquaintance.”

Jeffery Medis, 28, suffered a broken nose, fractured upper and lower jaws, a fractured eye socket, a concussion and a gash on his chin that took six stitches to close. He also suffered a seizure, and two of his teeth were knocked out.

Medis, who does not have health insurance, told police he couldn’t identify his attacker – or attackers – and couldn’t remember the assault.

“The only thing I remember is that I was standing outside waiting on my friends to get their coats,” Medis said.

Medis said he was convinced he was beaten for being gay and that the incident should be prosecuted as a hate crime. His sister filed a civil rights complaint Monday with the FBI.

“I really want to see something done. I’d like to see a precedent set,” Medis said. “I mean, a person shouldn’t be afraid to step outside and nearly get killed – this is like having a serial rapist on the loose.”

¢ Police seek clues in beating (12-09-02)

Sgt. Mike Pattrick, spokesman for the Lawrence Police Department, said detectives were continuing to check leads received on the CrimeStoppers tip line.

Pattrick said detectives were not sure what role Medis’ homosexuality played in the incident.

“At this point,” he said, “we’re not classifying it as a hate crime because we don’t know if that’s what it is.”

News of the planned vigil surprised Medis, who says he is staying holed up in his apartment until his face heals.

“This whole thing has made me realize how many friends I have and how many really good people there are in Lawrence, especially at the Replay,” he said. “I wouldn’t be making it without them.”