The State of Hate

A recent FBI report shows that blacks are more likely to be targeted for hate crimes than any other group.

I can hear the nashing of teeth and the fodder for the fundigelical fascist rightwingers saying "See, see! Queers aren't as hated as they claim to be! This is a queer-lovin' country!"

A couple of clarifications:

1) There are a lot more blacks than there are gays; hence, there will be a lot more reports of hate crimes against blacks than gays

2) Blacks aren't as easily intimidated into being victims as gays. They're not afraid to start a riot when things don't go their way!

3) There are federal laws to protect blacks against discrimination and hate crimes; therefore, they are encouraged to report crimes against them because there is a far greater likelihood that something can and will be done. Not so for gays.

4) How can a DEAD gay person report a hate crime? And whose voice is left to hear but the perpetrator of the crime that can make up any excuse they want?

Not all crimes against gay people end in death, but many are much more brutal and violent and have increased in their brutality over the years.

Matthew Shepard is the name everyone thinks of, but there have been many since.

Brandon Teena
Sakia Gunn
Elvys Perez
PFC Barry Winchell
Billy Jack Gaither
Scotty Joe Weaver
Roderick George

The last three were all from Alabama, my home state, and now there is a fourth:

Billy Sanford, a 52 year old Jackson, AL man, beaten into a coma with a hammer by 26 year old handyman, Marcus Dewayne Kelley.

Police said that his doctors have given him little chance for survival. Even if he does survive and regain consciousness his is likely to have permanent brain damage and would be unlikely to testify at Kelley's trial.
...
Police said that they would have liked to have charged Kelley with a hate crime, but gays are not covered under the state's hate crime law.

Several days ago, not far from my own home, a very well-known gay man was killed. The killer is still at large and supposedly the motive was robbery, but nothing was taken. How can we know? Will we ever know? Even if there was an anti-gay motive, there's NOTHING we can fucking do about it!!! There's nothing that can put these monsters and haters away for life! They can claim it was panic, robbery, anything as long as it's against a queer.

The dead can't speak, but I can!!