Yvette D. Clarke Speaks OUT Against Hate

In response to a brutal attack against a man leaving a gay and lesbian event in Carroll Gardens several weeks ago, Yvette D Clark, who represents New York’s 11th Congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives released the following statement on her website:

“I am deeply concerned about reports of violence against anyone in this community.  My thoughts and prayers go out to the victim of this heinous act of violence. These actions are meant to bring fear and division among our community and are totally unacceptable. I stand firm with the 11th Congressional District in decrying this terrible act of prejudice and bigotry.”

“As we all know, my district is one of the most diverse districts in the nation with a large LGBT community. I will continue to proudly celebrate what makes Brooklyn, New York so unique, what former New York City Mayor David Dinkins called a “gorgeous mosaic.”

“Such terrible acts underline how we, as a community, must take quick and decisive action whenever bigotry arises. People who perpetuate violence should be brought to justice before the law.”

“I will continue to utilize my position as a Member of Congress to strengthen hate crime legislation. Know that I will work closely with my colleagues, on all levels of government, to ensure that the LGBT community in New York and throughout our nation are fully protected from hate crimes.”

I highlighted the sentence in the third paragraph of her statement because I personally believe that to be the key.  Hate crimes legislation is great, but it’s time to become more proactive and less reactive.  I firmly stand behind the belief that any person who is guilty of encouraging, inciting or perpetuating violence should be tried and convicted.  This is NOT about the first amendment, this is NOT about free speech.  People like Scott Lively and others who speak out against the LGBT community and encourage the murder of people for being part of the LGBT community are violent criminals.

I stand for equality and I stand for free speech.  I don’t however stand for discrimination, oppression or violence…those who do, are in fact, criminal!

IN THE LIFE: The Right to Live – Bullycides

“Bullying is NOT a right of passage, it’s a national health crisis.” When as many as 10,000 students miss school every month, when children are committing suicide because of constant verbal abuse, bullying is a crisis. Please watch the following video and support Inthelife.org!

Courtesy of IN THE LIFE:

This month on IN THE LIFE: Bullycides, a term recently coined to address the national health crisis of young people taking their own lives as the result of bullying. Followed by the premier of In The States, a feature focusing on the struggle for LGBT civil rights at the state level.

Bullycides
Studies show that youth who are bullied are five times more likely to be depressed and to report suicidal thoughts. LGBT children and those who are perceived to be gay, lesbian or challenge tradition gender roles are among those most likely to be targeted by bullies. In this look at the most tragic outcome for kids tormented by kids, we meet heartbroken families fighting for federal legislation to protect their children.

In The States
Our first installment of this IN THE LIFE feature takes us to Ohio, a state ranked among the worst for LGBT rights. Ohio legislators not only banned same sex marriages but barred unmarried state employees from receiving benefits for domestic partners; transgender Ohioans lack basic civil rights including the right to correct their birth certificates and LGBT people can be legally fired from their jobs because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. In this report on the gay experience in the heartland, we meet locals with deep ties to their community organizing for equal rights.

The Right To Live will begin airing March 1st and be available for free video streaming and downloadable podcasts from the IN THE LIFE website. To find out when it will air in your local area, to stream or download it, go to www.inthelifetv.org.

Gay Bashing Rocks Quiet Brooklyn Neighborhood

The NYPD are looking for five men who beat a 22-year-old man on the street last week. The men jumped him, beat him with their fists and shouted anti-gay slurs at him.

The NYPD says the man was attacked last Tuesday morning at Luquer Street and Hamilton Avenue as he left a gay and lesbian party at a bar, about 12:50 a.m. on March 2. Police say, the attackers, called the victim a “faggot” and punched him numerous times in the face, knocking him down and causing him to suffer a gash on the back of his head.

More at: LezGetReal!

College LGBT Center Targeted in Hate Crime

Another campus hate crime is being investigated on the University of California -  Davis campus by police, making this the second hate crime in only one week.

Vandals spray-painted anti-gay slurs on and around the front door of the campus’ LGBT Resource Center.

Within the past week, someone carved a swastika in the dorm room door of a Jewish student.

Students, both gay and straight have been coming together to help with the healing process.

Watch the video courtesy of ABC News 10 below:

Hate Crime Charges In Anti-Gay Attack

Three men now face hate crime charges for their attacks on an openly gay CTA passenger in January.

Sean Little, Benjamin Eder and Kevin McAndrew left court on Tuesday as the state dropped misdemeanor battery charges against them. They were immediately re-arrested and charged with felony hate crimes.

On January 10, at around 3 a.m., the three men were allegedly shoving and taunting a young gay man. Daniel Hauff, 33, came to the young man’s defense, at which point the three assailants turned on Hauff. They used gay slurs, taunted him and punched him repeatedly in the face.

At the time, NBC Chicago reported that Hauff could only get them to stop when, bleeding profusely, he claimed to have AIDS.

More at: Huff Po!

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