VIGIL to Remember Gay Teen Jorge Lopez Mercado

Stop the Slaughter

A Vigil will be held in Philadelphia on Friday evening, November 20th to remember 19-year-old Jorge Lopez Mercado. Lopez, a Puerto Rican native was found partially burned, decapitated and with arms and legs dismembered, on the side of the road near his home town Caguas, Puerto Rico on Saturday, November 14th.

The Vigil will be held at the Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany, 330 South 13th Street in Philadelphia from 6:30 to 7 p.m.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender organizations, activists and allies are invited. The Vigil will include the Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus, Gloria Casarez, LGBT Liaison to Mayor Nutter, Cynthia Vasquez, youth activist at the Gay and Lesbian Latino AIDS Education Initiative (GALAEI), and Malcolm Lazin , Executive Director of Equality Forum.

There were 29 gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) hate crime murders in the United States in 2008.

“We must stop the homophobic slaughter,” stated Malcolm Lazin , Executive Director of Equality Forum. “Since Matthew Shepard’s murder in 1998, there have been over 16,000 gay hate crimes, and on average, about 1,450 GLBT hate crimes per year.”

Police have identified a suspect in the murder of Jorge Lopez Mercado. According to Puerto Rican activists, gay hate crimes in Puerto Rico are not prosecuted.

“We call on US Attorney General Holder to investigate and prosecute in federal court this horrific crime,” stated Lazin. “The decapitation and dismemberment of Jorge Lopez Mercado reminds America that we need to eliminate homophobia in our schools, communities and culture.”

There will also be a Vigil in New York City on Sunday, November 22nd. “It is our hope that communities around the nation will hold Vigils to remember Jorge and that his memory will be a call to conscience,” said Lazin.

Equality Forum is a national and international GLBT civil rights organization with an educational focus. Equality Forum coordinates GLBT History Month, produces documentary films, undertakes high impact initiatives and presents annually the largest national and international GLBT civil rights forum.

www.equalityforum.com


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Gay Mosque Celebrates Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Act

(PRWEB) November 2, 2009 -- Ali Ghalib, head Imam of the Gay Mosque, is thrilled along with other members of the gay community, in celebrating the president's recent signing of of the expanded Hate Bill which will gets its funding from the $680 billion dollar defense authorization bill.

This Bill is named after a homosexual teenager, Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr, an African-American, who was dragged to death.

"With this improved hate crimes bill, the gay mosque will flourish in our communities making a better life for gay and happy Muslims everywhere in this blessed land, the United States of America. Blesses be America!" Imam Ghalib said.

"This truly shows that the U.S. wants to help keep religion free," Imam Ali said.

the gay mosque
Ali Ghalib
2155551212

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VIDEO: Historic Day - Obama Signs Federal Hate Crimes Act

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Video: Vigils around the world for Tel Aviv Gay Center shooting

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Dear Mr. President

Dear Mr. President,

I'm a pretty patient guy, Mr. President. I must be, considering that while you were celebrating your 6th birthday I was putting my life on the line for my country, serving as a Military Policeman in Vietnam, even though I had to lie every minute of every waking hour to do so. I kept myself going with the faith that someday other patriotic gay and lesbian Americans would be able to proudly serve their nation without having to live a lie.

I must be a patient man, Mr. President. When you were 8 years old I gave up a promising law enforcement career with the Washington State Patrol rather than continue to put up with the incredible pressure of attempting to pass as a
heterosexual. I kept myself going with the faith that someday GLBT people would be
protected in their jobs from the whims of heterosexual bigots.

I must be a patient man, Mr. President. When you were 10 years old my good friend, John Singer and I were refused a license to marry. The courts of the day upheld that decision. I kept myself going with the faith that someday every person in this country would have that most basic of rights, the right to make his or her own decision about whom to marry.

I must be a patient man, Mr. President. When you were 15 years old a gang of young men armed with baseball bats showed up at my door stating that they were going to show me "What we do with fags in this neighborhood". I came out of that unscathed only because I was able to reach the shotgun I kept handy for just such an occasion. I kept myself going with the faith that someday the same laws which protected racial minorities and religious majorities from hate crimes would also protect those targeted simply because they are GLB or T.

I must be a patient man, Mr. President. For the past 40 years and more I have defended and supported the Democratic Party even though their promises of support for the LGBT community always had to take a backseat to other more pressing issues, issues that affected "all" Americans. I kept myself going with the faith that someday our issues would make it to the top of the heap of things that needed to get done.

I must be a patient man, Mr. President. Even though I worked tirelessly for your election and donated more money to your campaign than I have for all other elections COMBINED in the past, I was willing to cut yo cut you some slack on your avoidance of addressing issues affecting the gay community once you had been elected. You have a lot on your plate. I kept myself going with the faith that you, who declared yourself a "fierce advocate" of full equality for GLBT people would get around to fulfilling your campaign promises once you got caught up.

But then you crapped all over us, and haven't even gotten around to saying "I'm sorry".

So I'll say it. I'm sorry.

I'm sorry that I confused "Yes we can" with "Yes we will".

I'm sorry that I confused campaign promises with political will.

I'm sorry that I forgot that even though all people are created equal, some are created more equal than others.

But most of all I am sorry that for me and other LGBT people the Audacity of Hope has been changed to the abandonment of hope. That hurts most of all, Mr. President. We had allowed ourselves to have a dream, but last week's comparisons of our relationships to pedophilia and incest shattered that dream, perhaps beyond repair.

By the way, the DNC recently sent me a fund raising letter. I returned it without the
requested check but simply with the notation scrawled across it in large letters "I am gay". That will be my standard response to all fund raising requests from the Democrats until such time as I see one or more of the following take place:

The repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue"

The repeal of the so called Defense of Marriage act.

The passage of Hate Crime legislation that includes protection for ALL in the LBGT
community.

The passage of employment non-discrimination legislation which protects ALL in the LBGT community.

I understand that you like to play basketball, Mr. President. Well, Sir, the ball is now in your court.


Paul Barwick, San Francisco

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GayTalk-Roundtable Discussions, Socialized Medicine and Hate Crime

1/25/2009 - 2 hrs

GayTalk at 9 AM (PST). Call in during the live show (347) 237-5246 otherwise call voicemail at (360) 283-5052 or send me email tom@2015Place.com . As always we have an Open Forum but hope discussion today includes Socialized Medicine and Hate Crimes.

Click here to listen.

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All the best to you and yours.

GayTalk - Whitehouse.gov, LGBT hate crime, APA, Mesa,

1/22/2009 - 1 hr

GayTalk at 9 AM (PST). Call in during the live show (347) 237-5246 otherwise call voicemail at (360) 283-5052 or send me email tom@2015Place.com . Today I'll speak on the recent Whitehouse.gov website changes and why that affects your personal safety, the APA, Mesa Arizona and more.

Click here to listen.

I have started a new project to create a dedicated LGBT Channel/Station. To hear more about this, click here. Donations and or sponsors are welcome. Please click here to donate.

All the best to you and yours.

Friends Claim Texas Man's Killing Was Hate Crime

Adrian Clay, also known as Shari Campbell, was found dead in the 4800 block of Presa Road. Evidently Shari was killed after leaving The Boss, a local bar.

Adrian, dressed in drag, was found near the bar bleeding and unconcious. After being rushed to the hospital he died from sustained injuries.

Friends of the victim believe it was a hate crime

full article

Attack on Wayland, Michigan teen may be a hate crime

by Lynn Turner
The Kalamazoo Gazette, Michigan

WAYLAND -- A Wayland Union High School freshman was allegedly attacked by two other girls Tuesday on the last day of school in what police say may be a hate crime related to the victim's sexual orientation.

The three students, all 14, were cleaning out their lockers after fourth period, about 1:30 p.m., when the suspects surrounded the girl and the fight broke out, Wayland Police Chief Dan Miller said. The fight lasted about 30 seconds before school staff broke it up.

The victim, who had some facial bruising and was treated by emergency medical technicians at the school, identifies herself as a lesbian, Miller said.

"I guess some say she's pretty outspoken, and the other two girls didn't like that,'' he said. "We were told by the two suspects it was over the sex-orientation issue that they don't believe in.''

full article

Brain maturation may be defense in teen's murder trial

by Tom Kisken
Ventura County Star

The studies show brain maturation continues many years longer than scientists once thought. Researchers think an overabundance of gray matter and still-strengthening connections between different parts of the brain may influence how teens behave, though the exact link isn't understood.

A tug-of-war over whether the science belongs in the courtroom seems likely to emerge in the nationally publicized case of Brandon McInerney. The 14-year-old from Oxnard is set to be tried as an adult in the classroom killing of Larry King, a 15-year-old who sometimes wore lipstick and told friends he was gay.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Maeve Fox said the decision to try McInerney as an adult could be reviewed if compelling evidence is presented. She said she doesn't know much about brain maturation research, comparing it to the lawyers who years ago brought brain images from scans known as positron emission tomography or PET. All she saw were charts with pretty colors.

"A lot of trendy medical procedures have come and gone as far as potential defenses to crime without ever having validated themselves," she said.

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Calgary hate crime tally highest in Canada

by Kelly Cryderman
The Calgary Herald

Calgary has the highest rate of hate crimes in the country -- three times the national average -- among Canada's major cities, according to a new report from Statistics Canada.

Even though the methodology of the sweeping national study is now being questioned, the numbers of hate-motivated incidents ranging from property crimes to violent crimes is ringing alarm bells.

The study, which surveyed police agencies covering 87 per cent of Canada's population, found 892 hate-motivated crimes in 2006. Blacks were the most targeted racial group, and Jews were the most commonly targeted religious group. About one in 10 hate crimes was driven by the victim's sexual orientation.

full article

VIDEO: Nashville News 5 on Warren County gay-hate crime

Nashville News 5 went out to speak with Neal Anthony.

Neal shows a rather lavish ($10,000) video surveillance system.

Update: TBI and FBI asked to help solve Warren County gay-hate crimes

BACKSTORY

by Jerry Jones
Publisher
Out & About Newspaper

The ACLU of Tennessee has asked the Warren County District Attorney’s office to request assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) in investigating hate crimes against a gay Warren County man.

Neal Anthony, who has been the victim of at least three attacks on his home, remains concerned for his safety and told Out & About Newspaper that he “dreads the nights and weekends” because he is afraid of another attack.

full article

Warren County Tennessee Man Attacked Again

by Jerry Jones
Publisher
Out & About

A Warren County, Tennessee gay man is pleading for help – from anyone – after local and state law enforcement can’t seem to stop vandals from attacking his home and spraying painting death threats on the side of his house and barn.

Neal Anthony, whose home has been the target of at least eight attacks over the past year, lives in fear, and wonders why state and local law enforcement can’t (or won’t he says) put a stop to the crimes. The latest attack occurred in the early morning hours of Friday, May 23, 2008.

UPDATE

full article

Report on anti-LGBT hate violence shows 24% increase in incidents over 2006

by Steve Rothaus
The Miami Herald

Overall, NCAVP’s 2007 report noted an alarming 24% increase in total number of victims reporting incidents of anti-LGBT violence (from 1,954 to 2,430). The number of incidents of anti-LGBT violence rose from 1,486 in 2006 to 1,833 in 2007 (+23%), based on reporting from the exact same reporting regions as the year prior (see comparison chart of victims, offenders and incidents 2006-2007 below). In 2007, total number of offenders also increased about 5% over numbers in 2006.

Additionally, 2007 had the third highest murder rate in the past 10 years that NCAVP has been compiling the Hate Violence Report (see chart of known anti-LGBT murders in the U.S. since 1997 below) with murders more than doubling (from 10 in 2006 to 21 in 2007). LGBT people also reported a 61% increase in sexual assaults perpetrated as hate crimes. While this increase is disturbing, Jovida Ross, Executive Director of Community United Against Violence in San Francisco states: “The fact that more people within the queer community are reporting sexual assaults is a hopeful sign that they are coming out of isolation to heal from trauma. It also demonstrates the positive impact of education and outreach.”

full article

Michigan Residents Taking Stand Against Hate Crimes

by Katherine Jones
WLNS TV

Violence against homosexuals is on the rise. That's according to some gay rights groups who say the violence has doubled in the last year. Group leaders want the public to take a stand against these crimes. A community which thrives on diversity was rocked with hate just last month. Graffiti scarred the heart of a town many see as a magnet for people from all walks of life.

Dan Farough, Executive Director of Progress Michigan: "That's not what Old Town is about, we're not about hate speech, we're about tolerance, we're about diversity and bringing people together."

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Gay hate crime bill passed by Parliament

by Tony Grew
Pink News

Incitement to hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation will become a criminal offence after the Criminal Justice and Immigration Bill passed its final stages in the House of Lords last night.

The government accepted an amendment that will allow people to use a "free speech" defence in cases of incitement.

full article

Man convicted of attack, cleared of hate crime

By James Monteleone
The Daily Times
New Mexico

FARMINGTON - A man accused of attacking another in a hotel room for being gay was convicted by a jury of kidnapping and aggravated battery Tuesday, but the jury said the attack was not rooted in hate.

Scott Thompson, 22, had faced a hate crime sentencing enhancement, which would have added one year of prison time to each convicted charge, for allegedly making anti-gay statements to victim Matthew Shetima during a September 2007 attack.

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Attack involving gay student addressed

by Alannna Berman
The Daily Aztec
San Diego State University

Bryan Moreluck spoke to the Associated Students Council about a recent incident involving a gay student on campus. At 12:59 a.m. last Monday, the student was leaving the Arts and Letters building when he was chased and beaten. The student was in the hospital as of Wednesday. Moreluck invited the council to think about this incident further and be aware that homophobia is rampant and affects all people.

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Assault Charges Dropped Against Georgetown Student

Backstory (original article)

WASHINGTON -- Prosecutors have dropped assault charges against a Georgetown University student accused in a possible hate crime beating near campus.

D.C. police arrested sophomore Phillip Anderton Cooney in connection with the early morning attack on Sept. 9, 2007, in the 1400 block of 36th Street Northwest.

The 19-year-old student from Texas was charged with assaulting another student while yelling homophobic slurs. The case was flagged as a potential hate crime based on the victim's sexual orientation.

Prosecutors said they dropped the charges because they did not think they had enough evidence to prove Cooney was the person who committed the assault.

full article