Michigan Praised By Gay Rights Advocates

Gay rights advocates are praising a measure to broaden protection for victims of hate crimes as a long-overdue expansion of civil rights.

A bill to revise the ethnic intimidation law was approved this week 82-18 by the state House, though four West Michigan representatives voted against it.

Under the bill, a person could be charged with a bias-related offense for a crime based on disability, sexual identity or expression.

It adds to characteristics covered by existing law, such as race, gender and religion.

Daniel Levy, chief legal representative for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, said the law safeguards speech at the same time it broadens protections.

“We make it clear that unless you assault somebody maliciously or damage property, you cannot be charged with the statute at all.”

Obama Supporters Assaulted In D.C.

Two gay men said an unidentified man assaulted them on election night as they carried a rainbow flag to an outdoor gathering near the White House to celebrate Barack Obama’s presidential victory. Channel 7 News, which captured part of the assault on video, reported that police arrested the assailant on a charge of assault. A broadcast report of the incident noted that the two victims believed the attacker approached them on the street after he left a Republican Party gathering at the Capitol Hilton Hotel. Acting Lt. Brett Parson, who oversees the D.C. police Gay & Lesbian Liaison Unit, could not confirm whether an arrest had been made, but said detectives were following up on the case after police took a report from the victims.

Right Wing Fox News Bashes New York Times

Faux News is at it again. This time they’re bashing the New York Times for standing up for human rights.

In an article posted by Todd Starnes, Fox said:

The newspaper bashed Christians, Southerners, and heteorsexuals in one fell swoop.

“The most notable defeat for fairness was in California, where right-wing forces led by the Mormon Church poured tens of millions of dolalrs into the campaign for Proposition 8 - a measure to enshrine bigotry in the state’s Constitution by preventing people of the same sex from marrying.”

The “bigots” and “right-wing” crowd would be Christians. I’ve done a bit of research and I’ve yet to find an editorial from The New York Times condemning California’s schools for using public tax dollars to indoctrinate children with a pro-gay agenda. The most recent example being the school that took children to a lesbian wedding.

The article continues with:

And the paper conveniently forgot to mention the tens of millions of dollars spent by the pro-homosexual lobby — including Apple and Hollywood.

The article is concluded by saying:

Regardless, the people in California, Arizona and Florida have spoken — at least until an activist court decides otherwise.

Whether you support gay marriage or not is no reason for a supposedly “objective” newspaper to insult people on either side of the issue.

Now, my answer to this extremely heinous attack, not only on the NY Times, but on GLBT across the world, is simple.

For one, yes, those who opposed Prop 8 raised money too. We are fighting for rights that all other tax paying citizens have and we do not. Because of our sexual orientation (which is NOT a choice) we are not afforded the same rights as the rest of the country. We are NOT equal citizens. And OF COURSE Proponents of Prop 8 will say the majority spoke, but considering the majority of people are straight, is that fair and equal representation? NO, IT IS NOT! Come on people, it wasn’t too long ago when people of color faced the same battle…and they too were the minority with equal representation!

Secondly, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it simply amazes me how so called “Christian” people will raise so much money to prevent others from having rights, just as they did prior and during the civil rights movement.

I also very curious, with the $60 million “Christians” raised to prevent equal rights, how many hungry could you feed with $60 million? How many homeless could you house? How much disease could you cure for $60 million? Instead you “chose” (and again, being gay is NOT a choice) to spend that money oppressing people. Better yet, since you know Jesus well enough to know he hates gay people, you should be able to answer this; What would Jesus do with $ 60 million dollars?

And this goes to Fox News, as well as the rest of you bigots and haters out there. The religious right (again which is neither) was built on bigotry. It started in the South because people were upset over civil rights. That’s right, Jerry Fawell built an empire out of hate and trying to maintain segregation. When the civil rights movement took hold, and it was no longer OK to oppress people of color, or prevent them from having rights, then Jerry Fawell, and many like him, grabbed onto the Gay Rights. The religious right leaders were (and still are) smart enough to realize they can raise millions of dollars by scaring people and feeding them full of hate. They also know its easiest to do this in areas where the education levels are lowest, primarily the south. And this, all in the name of God. And trust me, I’ve heard it before, but the Bible says! Well, show me one person on this earth who personally knows anyone who contributed to the Bible, and I will be willing to listen. Until then, it’s time you stop judging people and controlling the lives of those who in no way, shape or form affect your life. Be careful playing God. The real one may not like it!

WSU Students Attacked for Sexual Orientation

Washington State University police are investigating a series of recent attacks which appear to be hate crimes. All three assaults happened on or close to campus.

“I heard someone shouting at me from behind,” says Kristopher Shultz, one of the victims.  “I turned around and got hit in the face and I don’t remember anything after that.”

Shultz is an openly gay student and was outside of the Scott-Comen residence hall on his way home from work this past Thursday when attacked.  Two days later, a student walking one block off campus on B Street was attacked and beaten by a group of people.

The most recent attack, which happened in a parking garage on campus, was against a transgender student.  Jackson Hogan was walking toward the elevator when a man yelled a transgender slur and grabbed him from behind.

“I hit the floor and he kicked me repeatedly,” Hogan said. “People I don’t even know recognize me and are so upset by my gender presentation that they feel they need to brutalize me, it’s terrifying.”

School administrators have sent e-mails to all students and faculty, offering escorts for anyone that feels uncomfortable walking across campus alone.

New York Man Sentenced in Gay Killing

John Love McGhee, a New York City man who fled to London after beating a gay man to death in 2001 has been sentenced to 22 years to life in prison.

Richard Brown, the Queens District Attorney McGhee was sentenced Friday in Queens state Supreme Court. McGhee had been found guilty in September of second-degree murder.

Edgar Garzon of Queens, the 35-year-old victim had lay in a coma for almost three weeks after being beaten in, outside of a gay bar on August 15, 2001.

Garzon was a native of Colombia who worked as a theater set designer.

Edgar Garzon

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