Subscribe to Breaking NewsRuby-Sachs: LGBT Violence Rising With Political Gains
The two worst experiences with homophobia in my life have been in New York City. I have always lived in cities that are liberal, large and generally accepting. I assumed NYC was the same. But holding hands with my partner I have been both spit on (in Washington Square Park by a really old lady) and threatened and followed for three blocks (exiting the subway in Union Square). It’s not expected, especially in affluent and progressive pockets of an already diverse city, but perhaps this kind of backlash is inevitable.
The number of LGBT related violent incidents rose 26% between 2006 and 2007 and the increase is supposed to be even greater this year. It could be a sign of regression in the United States, but is more likely a byproduct of progress.
New York has recently changed birth certificates in the state to reflect same-sex families. Gay marriages are now recognized there and hopefully, in the near future, will be granted for New York residents. As a country, the U.S. has had a number of high profile court decisions granting gay rights in adoption and marriage. Proposition 8, alone, has done a great deal to raise the profile of LGBT issues.
So, should we be surprised that the number of individuals angry over homosexuality increased with visibility?
Probably not, but it does point to one part of the fight at which we are still failing.
The fight for acceptance and visibility is fought and won in the courts. And, to some extent, we can also rely on progressive legislators at the State and Federal level who will spearhead tolerant law. But, like many minority groups before us, work needs to be done on the ground to promote tolerance and integration.
It’s Christmas and this year, consider donating to a local community organization or youth group that works in the same neighborhoods, schools and workplaces that must implement the progressive legal gains of the LGBT community. In many ways, all the visibility and political gain is useless without this important, individual-oriented work.
I’m gonna give it to you straight (pun intended). There are plenty of us out here that do not agree with or approve of homosexuality, period. We don’t have to be church-goers, and we CERTAINLY don’t have to be fans of “Gangsta” – or any other kind – of rap, either. We are just NORMAL people who feel that it’s just plain wrong, wrong, WRONG!
It has nothing to do with “hatred”; I do not hate gay people – if anything, they are to be pitied. Somewhere along the line, for whatever reason, their desires crossed the line into perversion. Violence is not the answer. Finding a cure for this vile affliction is.
Let’s wage war on these religions, burn the churches, spit in their faces and burn their bibles. Violence is the only answer.
To Shelley Mitchell: That is YOUR opinion, for what little it is worth. We neither need nor desire your agreement or your approval, we merely desire for you to mind your own damn business in your own damn bedroom. As far as normal, that is a matter of perspective. I am quite sure if you were placed under scrutiny, many would not find you as normal as you think you are. We do not need to be cured, but you do need to be educated. Maybe if you wrap some toilet paper around your head, you can accomplish 2 things at once.
Shelley, you need to cure your own vile affliction. It’s called intolerance, and Christ wouldn’t approve. Concentrate on your own mote, sister.
Here’s a solution for you and all the other folks who don’t approve of homosexuality: don’t be gay. Simple as that. Problem solved! Now get your paws off our civil rights and your peeping-tom voyeur glasses out of our bedrooms!
Shelley Mitchell: sad, girl, but you’re obviously not too bright! I think it’s about time you washed your magic underwear; the stains have reached your brain cells, and they’ve become cloudy!
Bigots, as a rule, have always believed that violence is an acceptable means to expressing their bigotry. Conservatives in particular strongly espouse this attitude (hence their love of war) and this is why they have always opposed hate crimes laws. They do believe that there are times when people should be allowed to commit violent acts, such as when the victim is a homosexual.
What we need to do is work to make sure any violence is loudly publicized. God knows the Mormons have leveled all kinds of accusations of violence at gays angry over their role in passing Prop 8. We need to turn things around and make it clear what’s going on. Remember, a lot of people think that gays are actually safe nowadays because America is supposedly so “accepting”.
Sometimes I wonder what world Ruby-Sachs lives in. Gay men are prohibiting from donating blood by the FDA.
The rule technically states that any male who has had sex with a male since 1977 is prohibited from giving blood.
I suppose lesbians are permitted to give blood. I am unsure how transgendered / intersex people are affected.
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/321/7263/722
TigerTzu said “…we merely desire for you to mind your own damn business in your own damn bedroom.”
There is no business going on in her bedroom. That’s why she’s here bothering us, the poor, lonely douche.
If some old lady spat in my face, she would have ended up with a broken jaw.
On another note, most gays seem less than capable when it comes to self-defense. This makes us easy victims. As a consequence, we clearly need to possess the ability to throw a punch. That way perspective “gay bashers” will end up with real consequences for their actions. With that being said, I urge all gay readers to take a self-defense course. It is time we begin turning the tables.
A woman was raped by four men because she was a lesbian.
“Four men beat and raped a woman and left her naked on a central Richmond street last weekend, punctuating their 45-minute attack with comments that made clear why they chose her as their victim — she is a lesbian, police said.”
http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_11272428?IADID
http://www.kcbs.com/Richmond-Gang-Rape-Investigated-as-a-Hate-Crime/3528707