Yesterday, a guy walked into a bar in Massachusetts, asked if it was a gay bar, and then started attacking people with a hatchet and shot a couple of other patrons. Three people were injured in the attack before the attacker fled the scene.
Excuse me? What was that? I’m sorry, I thought for a second there, I was describing a fictitious event, because I know there is no way that stuff like this actually happens; but it did. And not only that, there are crimes against gays occurring all over the place right now. In London, a gay couple’s house was set on fire, and other gay people have been attacked and beaten in the streets. They believe it is a backlash to the legalization of gay civil unions in Britain. The police are recommending that gays, lesbians, and transgenders be as careful as possible when walking outside. Wait a minute, WHAT?
Is this the response that people have to gay people now? I know this has happened in the past, but are people really just becoming more willing to beat us up or kill us? How is this even possible? I honestly can’t believe that stuff like this still happens in this day and age. I would like to believe that there can’t be this much hate in the world, and that there is no way people feel that threatened by gay people; at least not enough to try and harm or kill us for being gay. What does that say about people? Are we loosing humanity, and the ability to see other people as equal? You would think that we live in more progressive times. But, given the light of these events, and horrible tragedies like Matthew Shepard, Barry Winchell, and Brandon Teena (among many others), it seems these times aren’t as progressive as they should be.
My thoughts and sincerest sympathies go out to all those that have been attacked. If anything like this were to happen here, I honestly think I would never feel safe again. I know that it is a risk that you take, being out and proud, and honestly, it is something I think about every day, and never for once take for granted. Most people that are straight never have to feel that sinking feeling in your gut when you realize that being who you are in the wrong place around the wrong people, could get you killed. In some places, people are so afraid of who we are, and so personally threatened, that they are willing to beat us, and in many cases, kill us. I just don’t understand this level of hatred and fear. I can’t even begin to understand how someone can feel so threatened and afraid of another person, that they would want to harm them, or even kill them. It just doesn’t make sense. That goes for anyone, not just gay people. How could anyone be so filled with hate? I ultimately fear, that if things like this escalate, as they might considering the current views of many Americans and others throughout the world on gay rights, that we are all in grave danger. America, we have been down this road before; let’s not go there again, I beg you. If there is anything we can learn about our horrible past, and the injustices and evils we inflicted on an entire race of people, it is that we must not do it in the future. We must not continue the hatred and violence towards anyone; and by singling out gay people and trying to strip us of our civil rights, you are making us even more visible targets. You are fueling the hatred, and that has got to stop.
Hopefully, they will catch this asshole, and I hope they throw every penalty in the book they have at him; because in my opinion there is nothing worse than a hate crime. A hate crime is something that is premeditated, meticulously planned, and maniacally carried out; all based on pure hatred. There is no room for that anywhere in this world, and I for one, am a little more scared today, as a result. Mainly, because this isn’t the first time anything like this has happened, and unfortunately, it won’t be the last. How can people be so fucking hateful? I just don’t get it. I think that we as a country seriously need to evaluate our priorities when things like this happen, and truly examine the importance of so-called “family values†that “morality” that this conservative right is pushing so feverishly. How does killing people because of who they are, fit in this model of morality? By forcing the issue of gay marriage, and taking such a rigid and hateful stand against gay people and our desire to be equal, you are driving the maniacal to act out. You are giving people, like this evil son of a bitch that hurt these people, the push they need to go out and hurt someone. Hateful targeted agendas that seek out one group and attempt to marginalize and demonize them, ultimately causes backlashes against those groups; and in many cases, violent hate-filled ones. By stopping this demonization of homosexuality in this country, I truly believe that we would be moving towards a more progressive ideal, and hopefully, things like this could become a thing of the past.
Here’s hoping. I for one hope it is sooner, rather than later. Wake up America, it is time we move away from hate; it’s killing us.
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