In Seattle, 11 gay bars have been the target of bio threats.
The Elite, Neighbours, The Wildrose Bar, The Cuff, Purr, The Seattle Eagle, R Place, Re-bar, C.C.Attle’s, Madison Pub, and The Crescent have received anonymous letters stating “I have in my possession approximately 67 grams of ricin with which I will indiscriminately target at least five of your clients. … I expect them to die painfully while in hospital.”
Rincin occurs naturally in castor beans, but when purified and ingested or inhaled, the substance can be fatal.
The Seattle Police Department is taking the threats seriously, employing the assistance of the FBI to get to the bottom of the threats.
The bars in question have warned customers to take extra precautions supervising their drinks.
A 12th letter was sent to alternative publication The Stranger warning them to be “prepared to announce the deaths of approximately 55 individuals.”
The Stranger’s editorial director, openly gay Dan Savage, of the blunt and sometimes controversial Savage Love sex advice column, says the threats don’t worry him because “I get a death threat a day with Savage Love.”
Savage surmised that the letters come from a bitter gay because they indicate no religious reasons for the the threats, and, that if anything, the letters will increase business at the bars because clients will show up to show their support.
Amen! No one gets between us gays and happy hour!!!