If a Hate Crime Happens to You
Friday January 2, 2009
I've been reading the past few weeks about a horrible hate crime in the Bay Area of California. In seemingly gay-friendly California, a lesbian was beaten and gang-raped by four men while they taunted her with anti-gay slurs. I've just been sickened by the story. This week four men were arrested and police are classifying it as a hate crime.
While much of the media focus has been on the battle over gay marriage, anti-gay hate crimes actually increased in 2008. Some states, like California, do have hate crimes laws, but there is still no federal hate crime law. Even if you live in an area with no specific hate crimes protection, you can take action if you are a victim of an anti-gay bias crime. And let's pressure Congress and the new president to take action on ensuring the Matthew Shepard Hate Crime Act passes.
© Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
It took me some time to be able to respond to this post of yours. Thank you for making it. The subject is so painful, and unfortunately so very personal to many of us, that we’re finding ourselves unable to talk about it.
Obviously we need to stop hate crimes before they happen, with stiff laws and stiffer penalties. But until that day, we must take care of ourselves, and our sisters.
So thank you.
My life partner doesn’t want me to, but I am going to get a gun. Because of the title I have, I can carry a concealed weapon. It is just to dangerous out there, especially for the LGBT community. I will do whatever it takes to protect my family. Why can’t we all just get along? I hope those for douche bags meet “Bubba” in jail.
My heart goes out to the victim of this horrible hate crime. I hope she will be alright.
there are people that want, what they can not have like…. oj ….not good at all the one looking on. will get u in the end!
Hidi WHAT? I don’t even know how to read that…
I read about this in The Advocate and was horrified. Oddly enough, I live in small Texas and I’m openly gay and have never had to deal with a hate crime.
I also hope she will be okay…
I also hope she wil come through this…Laws aren’t enough. Tolerence must be learned. I live in Israel…and while we have enough of our own “issues” I’ve been openly gay. (my partner and I had a wedding last year) -never had to deal with hate for the lesbian part of me…
I agree with Nana. Reading about such a horrific thing like this happening strikes many of us to our core. Often that onrush of emotion can make it difficult to articulate cohesive thoughts. We can’t hide form the word around us thinking that will keep us safe… Whatever steps need to be taken, it’s long past overdue for crimes like this to end once and for all.
What did you say Hidi? English please.