Faith in Humanity still low

[sparkindarkness]

In Georgia 2 marines have been arrested for beating a gay man in Savannah. The victim is still in hospital after suffering 2 seizures during the attack. But but of course

They have been charged with… a misdemeanour. But it’s possible federal hate crimes charges may be brought since Georgia has no hate crime law.

Of course the attack was justified because it’s alleged the victim *gasp* WINKED AT THEM! WINKING people! Why, in such circumstances why wouldn’t you beat someone into unconsciousness and leave them with bruises on their brain and needing CPR from their friends?! Words cannot describe how sick I am of the “gay panic” defence. In light of the horrendous charge of winking Col. David Robinson would like you to consider both sides of the story. So hey, at least they can rely on their commanding officer to try and defend the beating of gay men into unconsciousness.

Of course, it is bound to be connected to some degree to the whole debate about gays in the military (yes, that debate that shouldn’t be happening because it is inherently homophobic and over done) but the mayor of Yuma, Arizona has already made up his mind.  Making it clear that: “I cannot believe a bunch of lacey-drawered, limp-wristed people could do what those men have done in the past.”

No because violent bigots do a much much better job than “lacey drawered, limp-wristed people” right?

Of course, he is a mayor in Arizona, which does seem to be trying to set records for being objectionable out there.  And governor Jan Brewer has heard the word of God and used the powerful position that god put her in (is Arizona a theocracy now?) to revoke rights for domestic partners of state employees and their children. That’s unmarried heterosexual couples (who, in her godly mind, should get married) and gay couples (who, of course, aren’t allowed to get married). Is there an award for most objectionable state? Between the “show your papers” immigration rule and the “you have an accent, get out them schools!” and now this – Arizona seems to be aiming for gold.

But, back to the soldiers. How can gays be allowed in the military? Don’t you know that gay sex is… TERRORISM! Yes, the American Family Association, holding on to its good Christian values, would like you all to know that gay sex is domestic terrorism! But hey, they also would like everyone to know that Hitler was gay and recuirted gay soldiers because us gays know no limit on our “savagery”. Considering the number of homosexuals who were killed in the holocaust – well, words cannot describe how offensive this is

And of course Janet Porter is being, well Janet Porter. That woman is almost a stand up act, she’s so out there

Sadly, hate crimes and attacks are not limited to Arizona. An assault on a gay teen in Illanois was actually recorded by the attackers and posted on Youtube.

In Washington, a dispute over a trailer goes the way of hate as one man announces he’s going to get his gun and go “{anti-gay expletive} hunting” ah, just like that pastor who wanted to have “fag burning” and “hunt a homo.”

A man left a pride parade in Albany only to be found with life threatening injuries (he has now been stabilised) and is currently being investigated

In London, a gay couple was attacked with slurs and violence riding on a bus threatening them, attacking them and causing one man to need 8 stitches

At least there is some justice. The murderer of 79 year old gay man, Edward Highworth known for helping the homeless has been found guilty – despite AGAIN the raising of the gay panic defence. He has been gaoled for 23 yeats

In Vancouver a gay couple has been attacked and bitten one of the victims had to be hospitalised and have staples put in his head.

And homophobic hate crimes in Canada are increasing – doubling in fact (though we can hope it is better reporting) and hate crimes against homosexuals, primarily gay men, where more likely to be violent. Better reporting or not – we know that most hate crimes go un-reported.

In Dubai, a man found with a bra offered to take a “gay test” to defend himself from prosecution. He was cleared of cross-dressing “charges” since the court couldn’t prove he was wearing the bra.

Sadly, the prejudice behind all of this violence continues. In addition to our friends in the AFA and the ever eccentric Janet Porter, Pentecostal and evangelical churches are still engaging in highly damaging gay exorcisms despite the pain and damage this causes to people – especially the young and vulnerable

In Virginia Michael Moore (not that one) was fired. He was fired because he was gay. The Virginia Department of Human Resource Management  confirmed this. His appeal has been refused. There is no legal protection in Virginia for discrimination against GBLT people. And, as ever, the court and powers that be avoided the elephant in the room – the fact that anti-gay discrimination is so often religious based. But time and again we’ve found that that is a conversation we cannot have, a point we cannot make and a battle we’re not even allowed to fight – let alone get close to winning.

In New York, the GENDA bill to protect trans people from discrimination, was defeated/ I can only agree with Senator Thomas Duane, calling his fellows “a cesspool of homophobia and transphobia”

A catholic newspaper for the Archdiocese of Boston published a column saying we shouldn’t allow gay kids in catholic schools because they might BRING PORN! ZOMG no, PORN PEOPLE! PORN! Well, I don’t know about you guys but I always took porn to school. Books? Check. Pens? Check. Calculator? Check. Hardcore porn? Check. Because I’m sure EVERY gay schoolkid is just happy to carry gay porn around with them.

But of course, because gay people don’t breed (apparently) we’re INHERENTLY pornographic, don’tchaknow. Oh and gay parents shouldn’t be called parents unless biologically related to their children, apparently. Why would such bigots be allowed to be part of the adoption of ANY children?! Oh the Catholic church, it never changes.

Gross homophobia in sports continues sadly

To the surprise of absolutely no-one, Rep Michele Bachman (she who makes Janet Porter look almost reasonable) praised a Christian rock band that will appear at a GOP convention. The band calls for the execution of gay people

And yes, equally unsurprising, the bigots are already threatening Iceland with another volcano eruption. Because their evil hate-deity is going to cause untold pain and suffering with a mega eruption because gay people love each other (and I’m not even going to link to James Hartline’s blog, it’s bad enough I saw the re-tweet of his vileness).