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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, PLEASE!!!
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MATTHEW SHEPARD UPDATE # 2 10/15/98
A Public Service of the UNL Gay/Lesbian Alumni/ae Assoc., Inc.
unlgala@juno.com http://geocities.datacellar.net/WestHollywood/2840/index.html
and Lambda Midwest LambdaMidwest@juno.com
Welcome to Lambda Midwest!!!
MEMORIALS AND VIGLS FOR MATT:
=====================================================================
Matthew's Funeral:
Matthew's funeral will take place at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 701 W.
Walcott, Casper, WY 82601 on Friday, Oct. 16, at 1:30 PM.
This is the message that the Gay/Lesbian Union at U Wyoming gave to
the students and faculty, inviting them to wear a yellow arm bad with
three green circles at the top and bottom:
The Green Circle is the
international sign of peace. The
yellow background is a symbol
in the tradition of the yellow
ribbons distributed in response
to the Oklahoma City Bombing,
speaking of the intolerance we
have toward violence.
Please display this ribbon,
anywhere and everywhere, as
an armband, on your backpack,
etc., as a display of your
intolerance of this disgusting,
abhorrent act of incivility toward
Matthew Shepard.
We wear this armband in a
unified, nonviolent
demonstration of our values as
UW students and the UW
community against any and all
acts of violence and disrespect
toward any other human being.
**************FORWARDED BY REQUEST**************************
Chicago, Illinois
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 09:08:27 -0500
From: "Tony Estevez" brucehead@pobox.com
Subject: Announcement for candle light vigil in remembrance of Matthew =
Shepard
Please send the note, below, to anyone who might be interested in
commemorating Matthew. Thank you.
WE WISH TO ANNOUNCE A CANDLE LIGHT VIGIL THIS WEDNESDAY
OCTOBER 14TH 7:00 PM AT THE SOUTH WEST CORNER (WALGREENS) CORNER
OF WAVELAND AVE AND HALSTED STREET IN REMEMBERANCE OF MATTHEW
SHEPARD.
THIS WILL BE A PEACEFUL COALITION OF OUR GAY BROTHERS AND
SISTERS IN CHICAGO. B.Y.O.C. (BRING YOUR OWN CANDLES)
THIS DEMONSTRATION HAS THE ENDORSEMENT OF SEVERAL OF
CHICAGO'S MOST PROMINENT GAY ORGANIZATIONS.
SO WE IMPLORE YOU TO BE THERE TO STOP MORE MATTHEW SHEPARDS
FROM BEING SAVAGELY MURDERED. YOU COULD BE NEXT!
THANK YOU....TONY ESTEVEZ AND STEVE LARSON 773 878-3742
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 08:05:08 -0500
From: Carl T Wilson cwilso1@uic.edu
Subject: Protest rally at State of Illinois Building
candlelight vigils and ads in the press are all nice, but they're not
enough! Show your anger, outrage and mourning!!!!
All lesbian bisexual gay transgender people, advocacy and activist
groups, students and community members are being asked to participate,
speak and protest the senseless murder of MATTHEW SHEPARD! You are
invited to participate in a protest rally friday, October 16th, at
noon, in front of the Thompson Center/State of Ilinois Building, at the
corner of Clark and Randolph. We are calling ourselves the Coalition to
Protest Hate Violence.
If you are interested in helping to organize this demonstration, please
call the Pride at UIC office and leave a message 312.996.4424. more
information will be given on the voice-mail. or e-mail us at
Pride-L@listserve.uic.edu.
Please help publicize this event to all groups and individuals who might
want to show support.
also for more information, here is a news article from MSNBC and the
Associated Press
Gay students death sows outrage
NBC's George Lewis reports on reactions by the local community to the
fatal attack in Wyoming. And, The Associated Press, Reuters and NBC News
Correspondent George Lewis contributed to this report.
LARAMIE, Wyo., Oct. 12 The beating death of a gay student in
Laramie, Wyo., Monday sparked a nationwide call for stronger laws to
protect homosexuals and others from bias crimes. Saying there is =
something
we can do about this, President Bill Clinton condemned the attack and
called upon Congress to pass hate-crimes legislation.
MATTHEW SHEPARD, 21, died at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins,
Colo., while on life support. His skull was so badly smashed that
doctors could not perform surgery, hospital president Rulon Stacey said.
The University of Wyoming student had been in a coma since
bicyclists found him in near-freezing temperatures Wednesday evening. =
They
at first mistook him for a scarecrow.
Shepard, who was openly gay, had been lured from a campus
hangout,
beaten, lashed to a split-rail fence and left for dead. Four people have
been arrested in connection with the attack.
CALL FOR LEGISLATION
Although police say robbery was the motivation for the crime,
anti-homosexual overtones to the attack have spurred calls nationwide
for
the expansion of hate-crimes legislation to protect gays.
Clinton called on Congress to enact pending legislation. I do
want
to say again crimes of hate and crimes of violence cannot be tolerated
in
our country, Clinton said.
In our shock and grief one thing must remain clear: Hate and
prejudice are not American values, the president said.
Clinton said the death of Shepard made clear that Congress should
pass proposed legislation that would extend the federal law on hate
crimes
to include violence against homosexuals, gender-motivated attacks and
attacks on the disabled.
Congress, which is close to adjourning for fall re-election
campaigns, has not acted on the legislation since its introduction a
year
ago.
How to help
Where to send donations, support:
*Fund to benefit the Matthew Shepard Fund
c/o First National Bank
P.O. Box 578
Ft. Collins, CO 80522
Account No. 1926083
Forty-one states have hate-crime laws on the books already. Of
them, 21 have laws that cover offenses based on sexual orientation.
Wyoming has neither, and efforts to pass a law in the past few years
have failed, primarily due to criticism that it would give homosexuals and
others special rights.
In light of Shepards death, however, Wyoming politicians are
reconsidering their positions. Gov. Jim Geringer, a first-term
Republican
up for re-election next month, hasnt pushed hate crime legislation in
the past, but he said Monday he was ready to talk about it. We are calling
on all the people to have a renewed discussion to find out what we might do
to strengthen our laws, he said. Im open to any suggestion that we might
bring to our Legislature.
On Monday, the giant rainbow flag that symbolizes the gay
movement
was lowered to half staff in San Franciscos Castro District. College
students rallied in downtown Denver to remember Shepard and denounce
violence. And in Laramie, where the long-planned Gay Awareness Week
began,
some students wore yellow and green armbands to send a message of peace.
HATE CRIME OR ROBBERY?
Russell Arthur Henderson, 21, and Aaron James McKinney, 22, were
originally charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and aggravated
robbery, and jailed on $100,000 bail each. Police said that with
Shepard's
death, the charges against them will be upgraded to first-degree murder,
which carries a possible death sentence.
Their girlfriends Chasity Vera Pasley, 20, and Kristen Leann
Price, 18 were charged with being accessories after the fact. Police
said
the women helped dump bloody clothing and initially lied about their
whereabouts.
Police said that robbery was the main motive but that Shepard
apparently was chosen in part because he was gay. The 5-foot-2,
105-pound
Shepard had been beaten twice in recent months, attacks he attributed to
his homosexuality.
McKinneys girlfriend, Price, and his father, Bill McKinney, told
The Denver Post that the two men never set out to kill the 5-foot-2,
105-pound Shepard. Instead, they said the two wanted to get back at
Shepard for making passes at McKinney in front of his friends Tuesday
night in a campus bar.
I guess they (the people in the bar) knew that Matt Shepard was
gay
and maybe it got around that Aaron was gay or something, Price said in a
story published Sunday. Later on, Aaron did say he told him he was gay
just to rob him, because he wanted to take his money for embarrassing
him.
Shaundra Arcuby, a former girlfriend of Henderson, told NBC News
she is shocked that the gentle young man she knew now faces charges of
murder.
We dated for about a year. Never once was there any violence, she
said.
Arcuby added that Henderson never showed any signs of homophobia
and someone even told her he had a few gay friends.
I talked to another friend of ours who said he had gay friends,
and
it wasnt ever a thing of Im not going to be their friend or I want to
beat them up or anything like that, she said.
The Associated Press, Reuters and NBC News Correspondent George
Lewis contributed to this report.
========================================================================
LETTERS AND NOTICES:
MacGyvr's Cyberhome - http://www.macgyvrs-cyberhome.com
----
It has come to my attention that "Rev" Fred Phelps, the man behind the
infamous www.godhatesfags.com website, has decided to picket Matthew
Shepard's funeral on Saturday. Phelps, supposedly a Christian
minister, has desecrated the graves of many such "fags" before, but in
the light of the horrific circumstances surrounding Matthew Shepard's
death, this particular sacrilege must not occur. Shepard's parents
have already suffered enough -- they do not need Phelps to shout that
their son is "burning in Hell" while they watch Matthew's coffin be
lowered into his grave.
Please, take a moment to protest this evil act by writing Phelps at
this address:
webmaster@godhatesfags.com
Don't hesitate to be harsh -- Phelps and his cult are quite arrogant
and will not listen to soft or logical reasoning.
Then, please forward this email immediately to everyone you know. The
nation must literally flood Phelps with protests before he'll even
blink. But most importantly, Phelps and his cult are more likely to
suffer legal repercussions if the public fully expresses its outrage.
No one's parents deserve to have their child's funeral picketed, least
of all after enduring their child's vicious lynching.
Thanks to everyone for their time in attending this important matter.
Matt
CoChair
-------------------------------------
Lesbian, Gay & Bisexual Student Union
--------University of Florida--------
lgbsu@grove.ufl.edu
http://grove.ufl.edu/~lgbsu
-------(352) 392-1665 ext.310--------
_____________________________________
-> Deutsche =DCbersetzung folgt weiter unten <-
Dear Friends and unknown Readers,
Yesterday I informed you about the tragic death of 21year old Matthew
Shepard. Your reactions were overwhelming with requests for more
Information.
In the U.S. this indecent caused an outcry. During the past days, Gays,
Lesbians and their friends came together to think of Matthew. With
candlelight vigils and processions in many U.S. cities they remembered
Matthew.
In the meantime, also a Web-Page was created to honor Matthew. At
http://artheal.org you may find much more information's.
In sympathy with Matthew's Family and all their Friends,
Andy
Liebe Freunde und Hallo unbekannte Leser,
Gestern habe ich Euch FCber den tragischen Tod des 21 jEhrigen
Matthew
Shepard informiert. Eure Reaktionen waren FCberwEltigend. In der
Zwischenzeit
haben mich dutzende E-Mails erreicht, welche nach mehr Informationen
fragten.
In den USA hat dieser Vorfall viele wachger=FCttelt und eine Welle der
EntrFCstung ausgel=F6st. An den vergangenen Abenden haben sich in
vielen
US-StEdten Gays, Lesbians und deren Freunde und Familien zu Mahnwachen
und
Kerzenlicht-UmzFCgen durch die StEdte getroffen.
In der Zwischenzeit wurde auch eine Homepage zu Ehren von Matthew ins
Leben
gerufen: http://artheal.org . Da findet Ihr alle weiteren Informationen.
MFG Andy C. Mosetti
NEXTSKY (Switzerland)
Http://www.nextsky.com
=======================================================================
PETITIONS:
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 22:15:25 EDT
From: Bargej@aol.com
To: domestic@cs.cmu.edu
Subject: Please post
To Whom It May Concern:
Four electronic petitions have been set up to protest the brutal death
of
Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming this past week. I would ask that =
you
distribute these URL addresses to your members so that they can sign =
them and
so they can pass them along to 10 of their friends. These URLs can be
copied
and pasted into the address box for any Internet server. Thanks!
To the Governor of Wyoming Protesting the Death of Matthew Shepard:
he petition is located at:
Petition to the Governor of Wyoming Protesting the Death of Matthew Shepard
To the Parents of Matthew Shepard Through the Office of First Lady
Hillary
Rodham Clinton Showing Our Anger and Sorrow:
To the Parents of Matthew Shepard Through the Office of the First Lady
In Support of Passage of a U.S. Hate Crimes Act:
In Support of Passage of a Wyoming Hate Crimes Act:
Thanks for your help! If you have any problem accessing these addresses,
ASSOCIATED PRESS, October 14, 1998
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Even as outrage grows over the fatal beating of gay
10/13/98:
The Anti Violence Project and other NYC based GLBT community
The event is scheduled for 6:00 PM outside New York State Republican
We hope the Vigil will be relatively brief and encourage all who can to =
From: fucella@socrates.berkeley.edu
Mathew Shepard, a gay activist student at University of Wyoming, died
I propose that concerned Berkeley students, staff, faculty and
-phillip 705-8557
forwarded from QDH
What's disturbing to me is that amid all the calls for people to write
So here is what I propose:
* write your letters
Say that the tragic and brutal death of Matthew Shepard is the impetus
BUT THEN TELL YOUR OWN STORY. Let the leaders and politicians know that
Sadly, so very many of us have these stories to tell.
In an ironic way, while the politicians are busy fighting over whether =
If you have even a little time, please use it to tell your story. It's
Thanks,
for addresses for your senators, governors, representatives, etc. check
Human Rights Campaign: http://www.hrc.org
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 16:30:38 GMT
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~forwarded mail~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Unfortunately, an anti-homosexual group from Topeka, Kan., plans to
"What ought to make that family sad is the fact that they frittered
The whole article hasn't been posted on the Casper Star Tribune site
Here in Casper we held a candle light vigil this past Sunday. We had
Since Matt's beating, my partner and I have been looking even more
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD
KANSAS CITY FAITH COMMUNITY REACTS TO THE
Wednesday Night, October 14th at 7:15 PM - People of faith will gather =
We are inviting all communities of faith to participate. There will be =
Rev. Greg Watling, Associate Pastor, Country Club Congregational:
Rev. Paul Smith, Senior Pastor, Broadway Baptist Church:
Rev. John M. Barbone, Senior Pastor, Spirit of Hope MCCKC:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 1998 9:00 A.M. M.D.T.
Contact: Terry Summers, Executive Director, 970-221-3247, Pager:
970-593-3408
Greg Kuziej, President, Board of Directors , 970-221-3247
This incident comes during the tragic times associated with the brutal
Terry Summers, Executive Director of the Lambda Community Center, made
The Lambda Community Center is dedicated to serving all gay, lesbian,
Barb Dallinger
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 09:46:00 -0600
There will be a rally and candlelight vigil tonight (Tuesday, October =
Several disturbing incidents have been reported since the brutal beating
What follows is a disturbing report from Colorado State University in =
Mike Mills
As a young man lie clinging to life at Poudre Valley Hospital after he =
Nathan Stanley, the president of the Fort Collins chapter of Pi Kappa =
Last week in Laramie,Wyo., Matthew Shepard was allegedly beaten with a
"It's purely incidental," Haws said.
The float was in violation of a Homecoming parade rule that states "... =
Nicholas Haws, the homecoming chairman for the fraternity, claimed the =
Haws claimed the scarecrow was put in the back of the truck that would =
"We weren't gonna use it, but we had a goalpost on the float that broke =
Sonia ImMasche, assistant director of Greek Life at CSU who served on =
"I remember thinking it was strange because everything was flat on the
Haws said he wasn't sure who rode on the float or who put the scarecrow =
Neither Haws nor Stanley rode on the float.
The fraternity did not notify anyone from the parade committee about the
"I imagine somebody would've said something (about the vandalism)," =
Both Haw and Stanley said the fraternity does not condone this type of
"The fraternity does not promote any kind of stuff like that," Stanley =
VIGIL AGAINST HATE: Lawrence, KS
NEWS RELEASE
Wednesday, October 14, 1998
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL AGAINST HATE ORGANIZED BY FREEDOM COALITION
FROM: The Freedom Coalition, Inc.
CONTACTS: Tim Brownlee
Lisa Braun
Christine Robinson
Mike Silverman
A Candlelight Vigil Against Hate will be held this Friday, October 16,
Matthew Shepard is a gay man who died this week as the result of a
The candlelight vigil will include speakers from Lawrence community
___________________________________
Founded in 1991, The Freedom Coalition, Inc. is a community organization
--------- Forwarded message ----------
Forwarded From: "Dan Grell" dakota@magicnet.net
About sixty Orlando Gay Chorus members and several guests from AT&T's
We sang "Sing Me to Heaven" followed by my reading of Rev. Martin
It was a very spiritual and emotional moment for our "family".
I pray that Matthew will serve as our guardian angel. He knows our need!
Dan
Daniel R. Grell, President
"Inspiring individuals, the community, and the world through excellence
http://www.orlandogaychorus.org
--------- Forwarded message ----------
Forwarded From: Kathleen McGuire Kathleen.Mcguire@Colorado.EDU
The Rainbow Chorus concert on October 18 will be dedicated to Matthew
Music in the concert includes:
Part 1: Chronicles of the Way-Showers by David Maddux
Part 2: Songs for a New World
TICKET INFO:
The Rainbow Chorus
Kathleen McGuire
Artistic Director, the Rainbow Chorus, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Source: Wyoming Governor's Office 10/13/98
Comments by Governor Jim Geringer on the Matthew Shepard incident.
I am deeply saddened to hear of Matthew Shepard*s death. We all feel a =
We send our comfort and prayers to Matthew*s parents, family and =
The message that should go out is that no one is above the law, that no =
The overwhelming reaction of the people I*ve visited with is one of =
The magnitude of the national response indicates that this is an issue =
Recalling the horror, rejecting terror, refusing to be drawn in by =
In order to practice Wyoming*s motto of *The Equality State,* we must =
But this is not just an issue over sexual orientation. This is about =
The terrible actions taken by the Hitler regime in Nazi Germany did not =
Unanswered criticism. Unchallenged accusations. Each becomes a tacit =
Even the national reaction to Wyoming is in part a stereotype. The =
I note with irony that the national press didn*t bat an eye when young =
We should now make this an opportunity to remind each other of what went =
The issue in this case happens to be homosexuality, but hate knows no =
I*ve asked several proponents of hate crime legislation to describe =
I read with interest Chuck Green*s editorial in the Denver Post. He =
Burn a cross on a black family's lawn, and it's more serious than =
I call on Wyoming*s people to openly talk about how we might come to =
We don*t want to mirror America*s loss of community conscience. We are =
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
Float Carried Figure Mocking Gays
(c) The Associated Press
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (Oct. 12) - Colorado State University officials are
The parade took place Saturday. That same day, a gay University of =
Matthew Shepard died Monday, six days after he was lured from a Laramie,
The bicyclists who found him at first mistook him for a scarecrow. Two =
The scarecrow appeared on a float sponsored by Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity
Nicholas Haws, homecoming chairman for Pi Kappa Alpha, said the =
He said someone vandalized the float Friday night, pinning a sign saying
Nathan Stanley, president of the Fort Collins chapter of the fraternity,
''The fraternity does not promote any kind of stuff like that,'' he =
The sorority did not immediately comment.=20
University President Albert C. Yates said appropriate disciplinary =
AP-NY-10-12-98 2241EDT
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D From the GLBT-NEWS mailing list =
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
*****FW begins here**************************
Contacts:
Bill Dobbs 212-988-1091
Michael Petrelis 415-621-6267
News From QueerWatch
For Immediate Release
Justice Demanded in the Death of Matthew Shepard;
QueerWatch Says NO to Revenge -- Denounces Hate Crime Laws
New York, NY-- QueerWatch joins the public outrage over the murder of
QueerWatch opposes so-called hate crime laws that some politicians =
Bill Dobbs continued, "For too long police, prosecutors, and the public =
QueerWatch hopes this tragic episode causes Wyomingites and others =
QueerWatch is a grassroots organization based in New York and San =
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 09:59:00 -0500
PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY:
While Matthew Shepard was dying a few miles away from a brutal =
If you are as sickened as me by the float by the Pi Kapp and Chi Omega
http://lamar.colostate.edu/~pikapps/
You can also email them at:
You can also contact:
Sonia Immasche, Asst. Director of Greek Life, at:
President Albert C. Yates does not have a publicly listed email. His
Here is what I wrote:
The Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity of Colorado State U. and=20
It is my sincere hope that both organizations are disbanded at CSU.=20
Sickened in Kentucky
Letter from lacc@lariat.org to Rodney Bell re: the editorial on 10/12
The Laramie Community is outraged by the actions of a few individuals. =
The US Congress is refusing to pass legislation that would permit the =
Please email your US Senators and House Members and tell them to pass =
Draft email: =20
Dear XXXXX: =20
NAME AND ADDRESS =20
Matthew Shepard, a 21-year-old University of Wyoming student, died from
"Americans for Truth condemns this criminal and senseless attack on a =
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) issued a statement
Elizabeth Birch, executive director of the Human Rights Campaign, the =
"I call on the Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD and other homosexual groups =
LaBarbera said Christian and religious opponents of homosexuality
"The cynical manipulation of this tragedy underscores the danger of hate
Americans for Truth about Homosexuality (AFTAH) is dedicated to opposing =
---------- Forwarded message ----------
In Memory of Matthew Shepard
It is with a heavy heart that I write this to you all...
Matthew Shepard, the 21 year old college student
Matthew lived in Chapel Hill, NC before he moved to Wyoming.
It is a sad and shameful commentary on humanity that such barbaric =
I will be performing a "crossing over" ritual this Saturday (10-17-98) =
In Sadness,
Nightbird
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
A TRIBUTE FOR MATTHEW October 12,1998
My heartfelt prayers and sadness to Matthew's family, and all of us who
Sincerely,
And if I live to hear the answer
I was a child like you.
I grew up to be a teen.
I am now a young man.
But aside from all this
Oh, deep underneath
Because I am gay.
But still, I ask you again
~ Mish
and also donate funds to gay/les/bi/trans organizations of all kinds to =
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
WYOMING NEWSPAPERS
Chicago Tribune tribletter@aol.com
Nebraska:
Kansas City, MO:
The Laredo Morning Times welcomes letters to the editor and offers this
Jay N. Fromkin
Governor Jim Geringer of Wyoming
Mayor: Laramie, Wyoming: Ms. Trudy McCraken,
Contact your Senators and Representatives in Washington and demand
http://www.senate.gov
Contact President Clinton Vice-President Gore, Hillary Clinton and
President William J. Clinton
Vice President Al Gore
Hillary Clinton
Mrs. Gore
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
Please do something now. Let it be known that we have had enough.
ACTIONS FOR UNIVERSITIES TO FOLLOW TO HELP STOP HATE CRIME AND =
ACTIONS FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO:
WEB SITES
Lots more at =
Date: Tue, 13 Oct 1998 07:03:20 -0500
LAREDO MOURNES
NATIONAL:
The Arizona Republic again has the Wyoming story on its front page. =20
be directed to Managing Editor Pam Johnson at
On the AP online service:
http://www.trib.com/HOMENEWS/WYO/FuneralPicket.html
Last week, PFAW Foundation issued a 10-page report entitled, "Anti-Gay=20
Michael Shepard, a URL where a condolences book is being made.
http://members.xoom.com/MattShepard/
CNN Transcript - Early Edition: Candace Gingrich: Government Needs to
Gay rights/hate crimes http://community.cnn.com/cgi-bin/WebX?1
CNN - Second attack by suspects in gay student death? - October 13, 1998
CNN - Clinton urges tougher hate-crime law after gay student attacked =
CNN - Quick Vote
CNN - Beaten gay student dies; murder charges planned - October 12, 1998
The New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project
Hate Crimes Prevention Act: HRC
Here are four political cartoons from the Washington Post web site re:
Ben Sargent: http://www2.uclick.com/client/wpc/bs/
Pat Oliphant: http://www2.uclick.com/client/wpc/po/
Tom Toles: http://www2.uclick.com/client/wpc/tt/
Wichita Eagle article
The Kansas State Collegian ran a nice front page article about
Project Vote Smart is your one-stop guide to elected officials, declared
INTERNET MEMORIALS:
Matthew Shepard Update #1 10/13/98 =
Mike Silverman made a memorial banner for Matthew Shepard, for people to
The graphic is located at http://www.turnleft.com/img/remember.jpg
If you want to use this graphic, please use your browser's "save as" =
Thank you.
"They took him and tied him to a cross"
with permission of the writer, Michael England of the NorthWest =
Just FYI, a pretty good TV encounter this morning in San Francisco. =
-Michael England
(For a free copy of the report, write to: The Governor's Commission
Also by Warren J. Blumenfeld:
HOMOPHOBIA HURTS EVERYONE
In this season of increased public criticism of lesbian, gay,=20
Warren J. Blumenfeld is editor of Homophobia: How We All
Warren J. Blumenfeld
========================================================================
http://www.e-thepeople.com/etp2/affiliates/national/fullview.cfm?ETPID=0&PETID=55842&ETPDIR=3Daffiliates/national
In Support of a Wyoming Hate Crimes Act
go directly to www.e-thepeople.com, and use the word Thomas as your name =
and
Jefferson as your password.
======================================================================
BENEFITS:
From: OUTVOICE!! outvoice-publish@QueerNet.ORG
To: outvoice@QueerNet.ORG
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 01:26:11 -0700
Subject: Hate e-mail discovered by Rainbow Chorus director
Anti-gay e-mail, parade float follow gay student's attack
By Robert W. Black, Associated Press
student Matthew Shepard, authorities are wrestling with new hate
messages
aimed at homosexuals. One such missive even applauded his death.
Shepard was found a week ago and died Monday at a hospital in Fort
Collins, Colo., where police were investigating both an offensive parade
float and a violently worded e-mail message sent to two gay groups after
his death. It closed with the words, "I hope it happens more often.''
The message was discovered by Brenda Hervey, executive director of
the Rainbow Chorus, a choir made up of gay and heterosexual performers.
Members of the Lambda Community Center received the same e-mail.
Ms. Hervey initially thought the e-mail was intended to inform her of
Shepard's death.
"When I clicked to open the message and began reading, I was just
sickened,'' she said Tuesday.
Shepard was pistol-whipped and lashed to a fence post outside Laramie
for 18 hours in near-freezing temperatures, authorities say. The
21-year-old University of Wyoming student died after five days in a
coma.
Police say robbery was the main motive, but Shepard's attackers
apparently chose him partly because he was gay. His assailants
apparently
lured him from a campus bar, attacked him and left him hanging like a
scarecrow.
Charges against Russell Arthur Henderson, 21, and Aaron James
McKinney,
21, include first-degree murder, aggravated robbery and kidnapping with
intent to inflict bodily injury or terrorize the victim. Prosecutors
haven't said whether they will seek the death penalty.
The killing has drawn nationwide attention, including President
Clinton's call for Congress to pass legislation making it easier for
federal prosecution of hate crimes.
Albany County sheriff's Lt. Rob DeBree, the lead investigator in the
case, said he and other local officers have no legal guidance on what
constitutes a hate crime.
"I wish somebody could give us a true definition of what they
consider
to be a hate crime,'' DeBree said.
The push for hate crimes laws following Shepard's killing is likely
to draw out people with strong anti-gay feelings, experts say.
"No one will say, `I hate these people,' but it serves to confirm
homophobic sentiments (exist),'' said Valerie Jenness, professor of
sociology at University of California, Irvine, and author of the book
"Hate Crimes: New Social Movements and the Politics of Violence.''
Fort Collins police were trying to find out how a scarecrow mocking
homosexuals appeared in a Colorado State University homecoming parade
float
Saturday. The university said 11 students were scheduled for
disciplinary
hearings next week.
Wyoming officials were bracing for the arrival of members of a
Topeka,
Kan., church who plan to carry anti-gay pickets at Shepard's funeral in
Casper on Friday.
Gov. Jim Geringer said officials can't stop the group from Westboro
Baptist from coming but he wants them to know their presence is not
wanted.
"What we don't need is a bunch of wingnuts coming in,'' Geringer
said.
Gay rights proponents held a news conference Tuesday to urge
legislators
to remove Wyoming from the list of nine states with no hate-crime law.
"Wyoming has always reflected the epitome of the `Don't ask, don't
tell'
attitude,'' said Walt Boulden, a friend of Shepard. "This horrible
murder has shattered our ability to hide behind that type of stance.''
In Baltimore, Kweisi Mfume, president of the National Association for
the Advancement of Colored People, renewed his call for Congress to pass
the Hate Crime Prevention Act, which sets penalties for those who injure
others based on race, color, sexual orientation or national origin.
In Albany, N.Y., a solemn crowd of about 250 people carried candles
and
sang songs outside of the governor's mansion in a demonstration against
hate crimes Tuesday. New York also has no hate crime law for violent
acts.
A day earlier, in College Park, Md., 200 people rallied at the
University of Maryland to protest a campus newspaper column condemning
homosexuality. Newspaper editors defended the publication as a matter of
free speech.
And in Sacramento, Calif., vandals scrawled obscenities on more than
20 chalk sidewalk sketches drawn to commemorate Gay Pride week at California
State University, Sacramento.
"Free expression is one thing, but this is hate speech,'' said Lou
Camera, director of student activities. The sketches and the obscenities
were erased with a hose.
NYC VIGIL FOR MATTHEW SHEPARD AND DEMONSTRATION FOR A NEW YORK STATE
HATE CRIMES BILL
TONIGHT!!
State Republican Party Headquarters:
355 Lexington Avenue
6:00 PM
organizations have called for a vigil in memory of Matthew Shepard
tonight, Tuesday October 13th
Party Headquarters, 355 Lexington Avenue (between 40th and 41st Street). =
Republican Party headquarters were chosen because the Republican =
dominated Senate that has held up a hate crime bill in New York State =
for over a decade by refusing to include sexual orientation among the =
categories of victims covered by any bill.=20
be there.=20
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 09:40:18 -0700 (PDT)
To: SocGradStudents@uclink2.berkeley.edu
Subject: Vigil for Mathew Shepard
yesterday. According to NPR, the police are now calling the murder a =
hate
crime.
community members meet at 8:00 pm on Wednesday on Sproul Plaza. Bring
candles.
======================================================================
From: OUTVOICE!! outvoice-publish@QueerNet.ORG
To: outvoice@QueerNet.ORG
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 15:40:47 -0700
Subject: tell your own story=20
---------------
I heard a disturbing thing on the radio yesterday. The speaker of the =
NY
State Senate said he was opposed to Hate Crimes legislation, and to any
similar notion of "special rights." With regard to the Matthew =
Shepard
murder, he stated that in NY State such an atrocious act would be =
treated
with the utmost judicial severity, and possibly result in the most
serious
punishment of all -- the death penalty. So who needs "special laws?"
letters, send e.mails and make phone calls to their legislators, lots of
more conservative politicians are out there using Matthew Shepard's =
death
as the case-in-point that WE DO NOT need hate crimes legislation in this
country.
* send your e-mails
* make your phone calls
for
your action.
while there is quite a lot of distance separating taunts and gestures
from
brutalization and murder, HATE IS A LANDSCAPE that includes
misunderstanding, intolerance, fear, brutality and shame.
or
not to set up hate crimes reporting mechanisms, we will become the
reporters. Imagine, WAVES of TRUTHS washing over Washington, or Albany,
or Montpelier, or Cheyenne.
important.
Dan
the phonebook, or go to one of these websites:
The Electronic Activist: http://www.berkshire.net/~ifas/activist/
House of Representatives: http://www.house.gov/
US Senate: http://www.senate.gov
From: paula@MAINE.COM
Subject: Matt Shepard Funeral and AntiGay Group Demonstration
In today's Casper Star Tribune details of Matt's funeral here in
Casper were announced. The funeral will be held 1:30 PM, Friday at
St. Mark's Episcopal Church. The paper had several good, local
editorials and letters to the editor from around the country about
Matt's death. Also several articles about how many Wyomingites hate
gay people.
demonstrate at Matt's funeral. Rev. Fred Phelps of the Wesboro
Baptist Church issured faxes Monday condemning the victim, Matt
Shepard, for being gay. In a telephone interview, an agitated Phelps
said he didn't care that his planned demonstration would upset those
who attend Matt's funeral. The fax displayed examples of "preaching"
signs the church say they plan to show at the demonstration, some of
which read "God hates fags," "No tears for queers," and "Fag Matt in
hell."
away the opportunity to raise up a child in the nurturihg admonition
of the Lord," said the 67-year-old misister, a well-known anti-gay
activist in Kansas, where demonstrations outside funerals are
outlawed." Of course, here in wonderful Wyoming we don't have such a
law!
http://www.trib.com/NEWS/ as of yet. I think they post the news
articles a day after so they can sell papers. The main gay and
lesbian site to get truthful up-to-date information is the United Gay
and Lesbians of Wyoming at http://uglw.org/index.htm
around a hundred people show up. It was very emotional and people
were very angry. Flyers which said no more hate in Wyoming were handed
out and many people have put them in their windows.
carefully at those around us. I must say we are having our eyes
opened for us. There is more hostility than we have ever noticed. It
was probably always there in these speeding, run-down cars that weave
in and out of traffic. Needless to say, we fear for our children.
DEATH OF MATTHEW SHEPARD
at
Spirit of Hope Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Kansas City=20
(3801 Wyandotte Street, KC MO 64111) for the purpose of praying for =
Matthew
Shepard, his family, and an end to violence against the gay, lesbian and
transgendered community.
a
brief prayer service and then a candlelight march to a second location
where the service will conclude. This will be an Interfaith event; we =
hope
that you will participate in it, and will spread the word.
"There is something seriously wrong when someone is beaten and killed,
simply
because they are different. On Wednesday night let people of faith
gather to
celebrate diversity and march for peace."
"It is time for Christians to repent of the violence against gays which
they
have promoted by their anti-gay theology and their misguided attempts to
"cure" homosexuality."
"It is frustrating to hear the operatives of the Religious Right =
disavowing
the beating death of Matthew Shepard, because in the next breath they
preach a gospel of hate and judgment. The Falwell's & the Phelp's are =
just as
responsible for Matthew's death as those who beat him and hung him on
that fence. Their anti-gay rhetoric spawns violence."
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
NEWS AND PRESS RELEASES:
Press release from Lambda Community Center, Ft. Collins:
The Lambda Community Center today denounced an insensitive and
deplorable incident that occurred during the Colorado State University*s
homecoming parade on Saturday, October 10, 1998. According to today*s
edition of the Rocky Mountain Collegian, the CSU campus newspaper, a
float entered in the parade by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity *contained
a derogatory image of gays.* The article, complete with photographs,
details the fraternity*s float that included a scarecrow that had the
message *I*m gay* spray-painted on the face and *Up my ass* painted on
the back of the shirt the scarecrow was clothed in.
beating of Matthew Shepard. Mr. Shepard died earlier this morning at
Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins. Matthew was found last week
outside of Laramie, Wyoming -- severely beaten and tied spread-eagle to
a fence-post. Two bicyclists found Mr. Shepard after originally thinking
that he was simply a scarecrow tied to the fence. Matthew Shepard was
gay.
this statement, *I am appalled by this extremely insensitive and
derogatory incident. I have already been in contact with CSU officials
and have urged a full investigation and disciplinary action for the
individual or individuals involved -- this clearly violates CSU*s rules
for the parade. * Summers added, *Whoever did this clearly has no
respect for gay people or Matthew Shepard and his family during this
tragic time.*
bisexual, transgendered, and supportive persons in Northern Colorado and
Southern Wyoming. The Lambda Community Center provides an affirming
environment for education, empowerment, and coalition. The Center
sponsors support groups, educational programs and activities, community
events, and maintains a database to aid those seeking information on
issues and organizations. The Lambda Community Center is committed to
being an integral participant in the ongoing effort to create an
educated society, recognizing its common interests through celebrating
the diversity of its citizens.
Coordinator of Visitor and Information Services
University Advisor -- PRIDE
2640 InfoCentre/Bone Student Center
Illinois State University
Normal, IL 61790-2640
Telephone:(309) 438-8540
Fax: (309) 438-5167
From: Mike Mills mills@COLORADO.EDU
Subject: Boulder vigil tonight; More hate in Ft. Collins
13) at
the Boulder County Courthouse on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, =
Colirado
in support of murdered U. of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard.
that lead to Matthew's death. In report on KUNC public radio this =
morning,
a member of the Rainbow Chorus in Ft. Collins told of receiving an email
applauding the murder of gay people and boasting of similar anti-gay =
hate
murders in Ohio.
Ft.
Collins. If this enrages you, please contact the Office of Greek Life, =
CSU,
Lory Student Center, Fort Collins, CO 80523 ~ (303) 491-0966; the =
Associated
Students of CSU, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523 USA ~
(970) 491-5931; and CSU President, Dr. Albert C. Yates
(presofc@vines.colostate.edu). The CSU web page is www.colostate.edu
Boulder, Colorado
Float contained derogatory image of gays, Fraternity
members say it was vandalism and an accident
October 12, 1998
By Chris Walsh
The Collegian
was
severely beaten last week in what is being called a hate crime because =
he is
gay, a float just miles from the hospital in the Colorado State =
University
Homecoming parade on Saturday had a derogatory image of gays on it. A
scarecrow used in the float sponsored by the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity =
had
the message "I'm Gay" spray-painted on the face and "Up My Ass" painted =
on
the back of the shirt it was clothed in.
Alpha,
said he had no knowledge of the scarecrow, but claimed it was not =
associated
with the recent attack in Wyoming.
pistol because he is gay and, according to the people that found him, =
tied
to a fence like a scarecrow and left for dead.
all
people, cultures, races, religions and ethnic backgrounds included in =
parade
entries are to be portrayed in appropriate ways, which enhance the =
group(s)
being represented."
float
had been vandalized the night before the parade and the fraternity =
decided
they wouldn't use it at all. Haws claimed the scarecrow was supposed to =
be
dressed in a Tulsa Hurricane uniform, the team the CSU Rams were =
playing,
and dragged from the back of a truck.
drive
the float, and when the goalpost broke, someone put it up so they would =
have
something on the float.
on
the way to the parade," Haws said. "It fell out of the hole it was =
supposed
to be in and someone replaced it with the scarecrow."
the
parade committee, said she thinks everything on the float was flat when =
she
saw it as it passed the judges in the beginning of the parade.
float," ImMasche said. "I remember seeing a figure lying on the float
face-down. I thought it was supposed to have been a Hurricane player and =
it
resembled that we knocked him down."
up.
vandalism or the fact that the float broke.
ImMasche
said. "No one said anything. We had lots of workers and we never heard
anything about a float being vandalized."
activity.
said.
Dan Stiles, the president of the Associated Student of Colorado State
University, said whether or not the fraternity intended for the figure =
to be
in the parade or not, it hurts the image of Fort Collins.
"If it was a symbol of what occurred recently in Wyoming or was an =
attack on
homosexuals, then I feel it was inappropriate and it reflects poorly on =
the
Greek system and the university," Stiles said.
Greg Kuziej, who is the president of the board of directors for the =
Lambda
Community Center, also said that regardless of whether it was intended =
to be
in the parade, it was inappropriate.
"(My opinion) is one of outrage," Kuziej said. "It doesn't show any =
respect
for Matthew, his family, his friends or anyone involved in the tragedy. =
In
light of human rights ordinances and given the events of the past few =
days,
even if it wasn't related (to the Wyoming attack) or intended, it was
derogatory towards the citizens of the community and of CSU."
The office of Greek Life will investigate the issue today, ImMasche =
said.
"The next step is to talk to my boss," she said. "We'll see where the
university can go from here. We need to look into it and at least =
address
this, at least talk with the guys."
>From a university standpoint, the group could be banned from future
Homecoming parades, ImMasche said.
"The last time a group was barred (for being in violation of the rules) =
for
five years," ImMasche said.
"The rule clearly says you can't slam anybody," ImMasche said. "You're =
not
supposed to be degrading to anyone."
Telephone calls to the fraternity for further comment were not returned.
"I would think that if that happened to my float, I wouldn't even bring =
it
into the parade," ImMasche said.
(785) 843-1889
brownlee@sunflower.com
(785) 840-0565
lbraun@ukans.edu
robinson@falcon.cc.ukans.edu
(785) 841-8766
cubsfan@turnleft.com
at 7:00 p.m. in front of City Hall, 6th and Masschusetts Streets. The
purpose of the vigil is to honor Matthew Shepard, James Byrd, and all
people who have died or been the victims of hate crimes. The event is
also to renew the call for state and national hate crimes prevention
legislation. The commemoration is being organized by The Freedom
Coalition, a Lawrence civil rights group.
brutal beating in Wyoming. James Byrd is an African-American man who
was savagely murdered earlier this year in Jasper, Texas.
organizations, the faith community, and KU organizations. Local and
state polititians are also being invited to speak.
dedicated to ensuring that all people in Lawrence are free from social
and institutional oppression and legal discrimination and
thus achieve their full potential regardless of sexual orientation.
From: OUTVOICE!! outvoice-publish@QueerNet.ORG
To: outvoice@QueerNet.ORG
Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 00:26:38 -0700
Subject: Orlando Vigil
LEAGUE held a candlelight vigil tonight outside our rehearsal space at
The
First Unitarian Church of Orlando. WESH-TV, our NBC affiliate, was there
filming as I shared information about Matthew Shepard's murder and the
National Hate Crimes Prevention Act pending in Congress.
Niemoller's statement during the WWII Holocaust when he wrote, "...they
first came for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a
Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I
wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I didn't speak
up
because I wasn't a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and
I
didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me -- and
by
that time no one was left to speak up." We followed with a reading of
Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" with us closing with "We Shall
Overcome."
Orlando Gay Chorus
P.O. Box 3103
Orlando, FL 32802
407.841.SING
in musical entertainment."
http://www.ourfrontporch.com (See Orlando Gay Chorus)
From: OUTVOICE!! outvoice-publish@QueerNet.ORG
To: outvoice@QueerNet.ORG
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1998 00:35:00 -0700
Subject: Concert for Matthew Shepard
Shepard, and will begin with a memorial to him. 10% of proceeds will be
donated to the Anti Violence Campaign.
Including the slow movement from Dvorak's New World Symphony
Mozart's "Dona Nobis Pacem"
"Prayer of the Children"
"Make Them Hear You" from Ragtime
and a psychedelic section with song and dance in tie-dye!
Coming Out With Pride concert
Dedicated to Matthew Shepard
Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO
Sunday October 18, 7:00 pm
Tickets $12 pre-sale; $15 door
Discounts available
Ph: (970) 221-6730
10% of proceeds donated to the anti violence campaign
kathleen.mcguire@Colorado.EDU
Following is a statement prepared by Governor Jim Geringer for those =
emailing him following the tragic, senseless murder of Matthew Shepard.
sense of tragedy and disbelief that a human life could be taken in such =
a brutal way.
friends. May they find strength to carry on in spite of this terrible =
act. We now must find closure, to first assure that justice will be =
effectively carried out, and second to work with the determination that =
there will not be a repeat of this incident in any fashion in Wyoming.
life or freedom should be taken simply by an act of prejudice. The =
young people charged must now realize that their lives are permanently =
changed. They have irreversibly altered their future, if indeed, they =
even have one.
shock that such a brutal attack could happen in Wyoming. With the =
resulting national media reaction, Wyoming people are discouraged that =
all of us could be unfairly stereotyped by the actions of two very sick =
and twisted people.
of concern all over America, but perhaps in a special way for Wyoming, =
because *Wyoming is What America Was.* How will Wyoming handle the =
situation? Wyoming is still *The Last Best Place* and *The Equality =
State.* Can we serve as a model on how to deal with brutality so that =
the rest of America can deal with its own insensitivity? Yes, we can. =
But how?
prejudice is not enough. If all we feel is outrage, we have no remedy. =
If we don*t feel ashamed, we will not change. If we don*t speak out for =
truth, we will not preserve it.=20
acknowledge each other*s worth and dignity or we will lose our basic =
values. Friday*s incident can serve as a remembrance of how not to act. =
=20
hate and misdirected values. Any taking of a life is wrong. Any act =
that would exert terrorism is wrong. Every spring I am asked to =
participate in a *Day of Remembrance* to memorialize the victims of the =
Holocaust of World War II, for those who fought for equality, who felt =
the rejection of prejudice. The memorial is always a look back at =
events that should never be repeated. It is also a look forward, with =
renewed commitment not only to fight against prejudice, hatred or =
intolerance, but also to practice equality.
take place suddenly, as a single event. The German people and their =
public institutions slipped slowly but steadily into accepting, while =
not preventing, crimes against Jewish people. Hatred begins in small =
incremental ways. How many times have each of us failed through words =
or actions to correct an injustice? How often do we stereotype people =
rather than acknowledge individual uniqueness?
validation, a passive approval of a lie.
clamoring for Wyoming to pass a *hate crimes law* reflects a rush to =
judgement in itself. We can and will deal with this properly and on our =
own. Those who call for a nationally imposed remedy are misdirected.
Kristin Lamb was abducted from her grandparent*s front yard, raped, =
murdered and dumped in a landfill. That action is just as repulsive as =
the loss of Matthew Shepard.
wrong in the past so that we might bring what is right to the future. =
We must never forget the tragedy of a discarded people, whether it be =
through extermination camps or by our own individual disregard for =
others.
boundary. Any act that displays a lack of respect for human life is =
wrong. How should Wyoming deal with hate crime legislation? What are =
anti-bias or anti-hate laws?=20
where Wyoming*s laws are deficient. What I*ve found is that most don*t =
even know what Wyoming*s laws are. The fact is, Wyoming laws are =
already quite strict. But we can and should provide for more options =
for local law enforcement and our judiciary so that we can deal with =
future situations.
commented on what a hate crime law could include. Such laws don't make =
hate itself a crime, but they consider whether hate as a motivating =
factor in a crime, is an aggravating factor when the charges are brought =
and tried. If hate is involved as a motive, it can make the penalty more =
severe. That helps little, if the victim is dead. You can only impose =
capital punishment once. Hate though, could be considered as an =
aggravating circumstance when a jury considers whether the death penalty =
is appropriate.=20
setting their trash can on fire. Paint a swastika on a Jewish family's =
car, and it's more serious than painting a gang sign on a warehouse =
wall. Assault a homosexual because his sexual orientation offends you, =
and it's more serious than if you assaulted someone at the office. The =
difference is measured in motive, not in action. Hate is anarchy in a =
country that was founded on democracy.
grips the issue. I ask for a collective suggestion for anti-bias, =
anti-hate legislation that can be presented to the Wyoming Legislature =
for their consideration in January.=20
capable of compassion. We are capable of finding solutions. We are =
from Wyoming. We can come up with a better way.
-----
NEWS SOURCE: Associated Press newsfeeds pulled via electronic newswire
-------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-----
investigating how a scarecrow that mocked homosexuals showed up on a
homecoming parade float while a gay man lay dying in a local hospital.=20
Wyoming
student lay dying in Poudre Valley Hospital five miles across town after
an attack being denounced as a hate crime.=20
Wyo., campus hangout, beaten and lashed to a split-rail fence.=20
men
arrested in the attack face murder charges.=20
and Alpha Chi Omega sorority.=20
scarecrow
was supposed to be in the uniform of the Tulsa University's Golden
Hurricane, Colorado State's opponents in Saturday's football game.=20
''I am Gay'' and an anti-gay epithet on the figure. He said the =
scarecrow
was removed but someone placed it back on the float prior to Saturday's
parade.=20
said the appearance of the scarecrow was inadvertent.=20
said.=20
action
will be taken once an investigation is complete.=20
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Moderators: glbt-news-owner@duh.org
Also available on FidoNet in GAYNEWS
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
MORE NEWS AND VIEWS:
In response to the non-stop demand for hate-crimes legislation =
folllowing
the death of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming.
-----------------
Eleanor Brown
managing editor of Xtra!
491 Church St, suite 200,
Toronto M6K 2N1
voice: (416) 925-6665
fax: (416) 925-6503
Subj: QueerWatch Says NO to Hate Crime Laws
Date: 98-10-13 12:15:47 EDT
From: M Petrelis
To: Infreader@aol.com=20
October 13, 1998
Matthew=20
Shepard, a gay man, in Wyoming. "As the circumstance of this terrible =
crime
become more widely known, we urge caution to make sure that justice is =
done.
Those charged with the murder must have a fair trial," said QueerWatch
spokesperson Bill Dobbs.
including
President Clinton support. Michael Petrelis, QueerWatch spokesperson
stated,
"Hate crime legislation is wrong -- it is a quick fix that diverts =
attention
from the real solution to anti-gay bashings. Violence is violence and =
must
be
punished -- by using __existing__ federal and state laws."
have
ignored=20
attacks on gays and lesbians. The challenge we face is to ensure that
government extends to gays and lesbians the equal protection of criminal
laws
already on the books. Justice is not easily won."
across
the
country and the political spectrum to help create a world where it is =
safe
to
come out of the closet. Keeping so many people in the closet makes those =
who
are out vulnerable to vicious attacks.
Francisco.
Michael Petrelis and Bill Dobbs are veteran gay and AIDS activists.=20
Petrelis helped get justice in the murder of gay sailor Allen Schindler. =
Dobbs
helped bring attention to police inaction after the death of Stonewall =
Veteran
Marsha Johnson.
From: Jeff Jones jeff@qx.net
To: Lambdanet > lambda@lsv.uky.edu> EKU Pride > pride@acs.eku.edu>
UK Geography Graduate Students > geggrad@lsv.uky.edu>
queerography@lsv.uky.edu
Subject: Contacting the Col. St. Pi Kaps and Chi O's about their hate =
float
gay-bashing,
the Colorado State U. homecoming featured a float depicting Shepard as a
scarecrow with signs saying "I am gay" and " Up my ass" by the following
two Greek organizations:
chapters at Colorado State, you can sign their guestbook at:
http://lamar.colostate.edu/~xaomega/
Pi Kapps: bolander@holly.colostate.edu
Chi O's: xaomega@lamar.colostate.edu
simmasche@vines.colostate.edu
voicemail is: 970-491-6211
the Alpha Chi Omega sorority have truly disgraced themselves
before the world with one of the most hateful, inappropriate,=20
and cruel float displays imaginable. Although news reports
that the float was "vandalized" to include the scarecrow image
of the late Matthew Shepard, I can in no way understand why anyone
with an conscience would allow such an image to remain for any time =
period
on a=20
float representing a group I belonged to and cared about. It is obvious =
that
your members saw the image and allowed it to remain.
Perhaps a later group of students with some sense of the value
of human life will reform the groups into what they should be.
________________________________________________
Jeff Jones jeff@qx.net
Lexington, KY
The
entire community has taken a stand against these violent actions. All
people should be able to live free of fear and violence. Swift and
appropriate action against these ind
iduals is taking place through the courts. This is a good time to =
reflect
on ourselves and how we talk to and treat others.
Our community's heartfelt sympathy goes out to Matthew Shepard's family =
and
friends.
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Subject: Hate Crimes Prevention Act
FBI to
investigate attacks against gays and lesbians such as the brutal murder =
of
Matthew Shepard. The Hate Crimes Prevention Act
(HCPA), H.R.3081 and S.1529, would amend current federal law to include =
real or
perceived sexual orientation, gender, and disability so the FBI would be =
able to
investigate and prosecute violent hate crimes against gays, lesbians, =
and
bisexuals. Current law already allows investigation and prosecution on =
the basis
of race, religion, national origin and color, but doesn't include sexual
orientation.
the
federal Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R.3081 and S.1529) immediately - =
and don't
forget to sign the email with your name and address. (You can identify =
and
email your Member of Congress and Senatirs by going directly to the =
House and
Senate websites). Also, call the Congressional switchboard at =
202/224-3121 and
ask for your Member's office,then tell them to pass the Act as well. =
Congress
will likely close up for the year in the next few days - don't let them =
leave
Washington without passing this bill in Matthew's name. =20
I am writing to urge you to pass the Hate Crimes Prevention Act =
(H.R.3081
and S.1529). As
you know, Matthew Shepard was brutally tied up, tortured, pistol-whipped =
and
then left to die in Wyoming because he was gay. Wyoming does not have a =
hate
crimes law - and only 21 states and the District of Columbia include =
sexual
orientation-based crimes in their hate crimes statutes. The FBI may not =
have
jurisdiction to investigate the Shepard case without passage of the Hate =
Crimes
Act. You can change that sad fact. With hate crimes against gay men =
and
lesbians on the rise last year, while crime overall decreased, it is =
imperative
that Congress stand up to hate and violence and pass the Hate Crimes =
Prevention
Act now. Thank you.
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Americans for Truth President Peter
LaBarbera condemned the fatal assault of a homosexual college student in
Wyoming, but said gay activists were cynically exploiting the tragedy by
linking mainstream foes of homosexuality to the heinous crime.
injuries Monday from a bloody beating last week by two men. The men =
reportedly
pistol-whipped and robbed Shepard after he flirted with one of them in a =
local
bar. They left him beaten and tied to a fence.
young
student. I have always and will continue to abhor violence and hatred =
directed
at homosexuals," LaBarbera said. "However, for homosexual groups to =
exploit
this brutal crime for political gain -- and somehow tie it to =
conservatives
who oppose efforts to normalize homosexual behavior -- is =
reprehensible."
linking the recent "Truth in Love" ad campaign featuring former =
homosexuals
(sponsored by Americans for Truth and 14 other pro-family groups) to the
brutal attack. "These ads give people permission to hate," said GLAAD
Executive Director Joan Garry.
nation's
largest homosexual group, directly linked the "Truth in Love" ads to =
Shepard's
murder. On NBC's Today Show this morning, Birch said the ads "give =
license to
people that already have a kind of rage," and called on pro-family =
groups to
stop running them. The newspaper ads did not run in a Wyoming newspaper.
to
stop their smear tactics now," LaBarbera said. "Murderous thugs killed
Matthew Shepard, not the millions of pro-family Americans who believe
homosexual behavior is wrong and who support the Christian message that =
'gays'
can change."
categorically oppose violence against homosexuals. "Christians believe =
in
hating the sin of homosexuality, not the person caught up in it," he =
said.
"The 'Truth in Love' ads we sponsored offer the homosexual hope. Yet, =
when
pro-family groups compassionately proclaim the truth that homosexuality =
can be
overcome -- with testimonies by men and women who have done so -- the =
'gay'
lobby brands us as 'haters.' =20
crimes legislation -- which politicizes crime and could one day =
criminalize
politically incorrect speech," LaBarbera said. "Let the name-calling and
demonization stop, and the civil debate over homosexuality go forward."
the
homosexual activist movement. It was one of l5 pro-family groups that =
recently
sponsored a series of full-page newspaper ads highlighting former =
homosexuals.
AFTAH publishes the bimonthly newsletter Lambda
From: Victor vkinzer@ait.net
Subject: Death and Rebirth of a Pure soul
from Laramie, Wyoming, who was lured from a bar
by two men who claimed they were gay, beaten,
burned, robbed, and tied to a fence, died
yesterday. He was targeted because he was gay.
It was there that I met him at a bar, and we became friends. He was an
intelligent, beautiful soul with a kind heart and a great sense of
humor. Part of the reason he moved to Wyoming was because he had been
there before and "felt safer" there. I attended a candle-light vigil for =
him last night. It was a
very emotional night, full of sadness, horror, and anger. Having =
survived a gay bashing
myself in the late 80's, I am saddened even more to know that the last =
emotions Matthew
experienced were those of terror and hate.
activity still
happens in this country. It is even more shameful that, as we approach =
the 21st
century, there are people who would say that he "deserved" this, because =
he was gay.
Those of us who find this apprehensible must work harder to promote
tolerance not only of homosexuals, but of human diversity itself. Hate =
crimes will
continue until humanity as a whole learns the real meaning of tolerance. =
All of
humanity has been diminished by this act of hate.
at 10pm
Eastern Time, to help Matthew's spirit find peace. Any of you who wish =
to add
your energies to mine are welcome to do so. Do whatever feels right to =
you, be
it burning a candle, or chanting words of comfort. I miss Matthew....and =
the
world has been deprived of his light....
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Something that you might consider reading and maybe reading at a
vigil or other gathering is this piece by Carol McNeely Co-List Owner
Lambda Midwest songofjoy3@juno.com :
Read the rest at =
http://geocities.datacellar.net/WestHollywood/Stonewall/2178/shepard.html=20
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Source: Kevyn Jacobs kevyn@EARTHLING.NET
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1998 12:58:58 +0000
Subject: We Shall Overcome
See Matthew Shepard Update #1 10/13/98 =
http://geocities.datacellar.net/WestHollywood/Stonewall/2178/shepard.html=20
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POETRY:
Donna Michele Hill MISH65@bcgrizzly.com=20
In Matthew's memory, I have been emailing this poem which I wrote for
him, around the world, to
as many people as I can. Please feel free to help me in these efforts,
by copying and sending it to as
many as you can reach as well. With it goes my sincere thank you for
getting thoughts of Matthew,
and this poem well circulated, to those that care, and also more
importantly, hopefully those that
need to hear the underlying message behind it, that gay bashing is
horrible and can not be tolerated,
let alone be degraded as a lesser crime.
feel his loss, and the pain of
this horrific tragedy.
Mish
BC, Canada.
***********************************************
My Name Is Matthew
I have just one question
Why did you beat me
and leave me to die?
A little boy once playing in the mud
making neat noises with my toys
singing and swinging at the park.
Struggling with my self image
body and thoughts
searching and belonging with friends
juggling between family and school
and social life too.
An eager student like many
seeking education and knowledge
honoring my growth
wishing to contribute much.
I am first one of you
a part of this world.
I hurt and I feel
I laugh and I cry
I desire and need tenderness
want to hold and be held.
I have a heart for love
and a heart that bleeds just like you.
I know your answer well -
for you make no sense.
Why did you beat me
and leave me to die?
**************************
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ABC Good Morning America http://www.abc.com=20
October 13, 1998
=20
Speakers: Kevin Newman, Host, ABC Good Morning America
Jim Geringer, Governor of Wyoming
Denise De Percin, Gay Rights Activist
=20
NEWMAN: We are going to move on to that horrible beating
death of Matthew Shepard now, which has reignited debate across
the country, and especially in Wyoming, over whether hate crime
laws can make a difference.=20
=20
Wyoming is one of only 10 states without such a law. And
joining us now are two people who have been deeply involved in
this debate. Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer joins us from
Jackson Hole, and in Denver is Denise de Percin. She is a gay
rights activist in Colorado, who until recently was working for
passage of hate crime laws in Wyoming.=20
=20
Good morning to you both.=20
=20
GERINGER: Good morning.
=20
DE PERCIN: Hi there.
=20
NEWMAN: I guess people are trying to find meaning in this
terrible tragedy, and that's why this debate is so current
right now.=20
=20
Governor, why doesn't Wyoming have a hate crime law?=20
=20
GERINGER: Well, I'm puzzled by that myself. In fact, I was
one of the first to call for an open dialogue so we could
evaluate what Wyoming's laws are and where they should be
changed, because we still feel that Wyoming is what America
was. We still have a conscience. We want to do the right thing
and assure that this type of thing does not happen again.=20
=20
NEWMAN: So in theory then, are you...
=20
GERINGER: (OFF-MIKE)...
=20
NEWMAN: Are you saying that your state does require some
kind of hate crime law?=20
=20
GERINGER: I'm not sure what you mean by that. What we're
trying to find out is where our laws are deficient, because I'm
willing to take any law to the legislator that would make it
clearer that we don't tolerate this kind of activity in
Wyoming.=20
=20
NEWMAN: And demonstrating hate, then, would that become a
crime in Wyoming?=20
=20
GERINGER: That's the difficult thing to describe. But
whatever we would do to change our laws I'd like to carry
forward.=20
=20
See, what we're faced with in Wyoming is quite often we're
criticized for being a little too tough on crime. What is
lacking in Wyoming's law right now? That's the definition of
what we would like to see on the table so I can take something
to the legislator.=20
=20
NEWMAN: OK. Ms. de Percin, is there anything lacking in
Wyoming's law? I mean, these two gentlemen have been charged
with murder in this case. What more is needed?
=20
DE PERCIN: Well, I think what really is needed in Wyoming is
a hate crime law. We have tried since 1995 to pass -- excuse
me -- 1994 to pass legislation, to enact legislation that is a
hate crime law. It would be an enhanced penalty bill modeled on
the Wisconsin legislation. And to date we haven't been able
even to get it to the floor for discussion.=20
=20
NEWMAN: Why is that?=20
=20
DE PERCIN: Well, for the first three times it was
introduced, the house floor leader held it up basically. They
refused to let it to the floor for discussion.=20
=20
The last budget session, which was in 1998, we had a majority
vote in the Senate to introduce the bill, but it was a budget
session, and we needed a two-third's vote to introduce.
=20
NEWMAN: OK. Governor, I hear you this morning saying that
you want to look at this; you want to have, I guess, a
discussion within your state about what is required and what
already exists.=20
=20
The president yesterday said that it's time to send a signal
that hate will not be tolerated. Do you agree that gestures,
even if they are largely symbolic, are required now?=20
=20
GERINGER: I do. And one thing I would clarify, though, is
that criminal laws are the domain of the state. I'm not too
sure I would go along with what the president says, that there
needs to be a national law.=20
=20
This is something that we can handle very well and probably
in a better way than any national law that would impose one
formula for everyone in the state.
=20
But we can do something both symbolically and substantively.=20
We would like to do something substantive and not just joining
the fray for political purposes.=20
=20
NEWMAN: What fray? I mean, 40 other states already have
these laws on the books.=20
=20
GERINGER: Well, let me relate to you my conversation with
Matthew Shepard's father yesterday morning. He said, don't let
this become just a media circus. He said, don't use Matt to
further an agenda by whoever it might be. He said there has
already been too much overreaction by national organizations.=20
I feel that already Matt's memory has been forgotten and
somebody is -- virtually everybody in the national media has
created a frenzy that somehow Wyoming lacks a conscience. I
reject that.
=20
Wyoming has conscience. We're still a state where you don't
even lock your cars or your houses at night. And we're so
shocked by this, and frankly shocked that the rest of America
is so callous about the lack of reaction in their own states
where a small child can be raped, murdered and dumped in the
garbage heap and it doesn't even make news.
=20
NEWMAN: All right. Governor Geringer and Ms. de Percin, we
want to thank you for joining us this morning. The debate will
continue obviously. Appreciate it.=20
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**DONATING FUNDS:
The family has again asked that no flowers be sent but rather that
people send donations to the Matthew Shepard memorial fund at:
c/o First National Bank
PO Box 578
Fort Collins, CO 80522
Account No. 1926083
help them do their jobs.
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Newspapers and Places to Write, Email, Fax and Get Your Voice Heard
University of Wyoming
Laramie Daily Boomerang,314 S. 14th St.,Laramie,WY,82070=20
(Fax 307-721-2933 ) (E-MAIL: bi@uwyo.edu ) ( http://bi.uwyo.edu/ )
Casper Star-Tribune, 170 Star Ln, PO Box 70, Casper WY 82602-0070
(Fax 307-266-0501 ) (E-MAIL: letters@trib.com )
Wyoming Tribune-Eagle,702 W. Lincolnway,Cheyenne,WY,82001=20
Fax 307-778-7163 )(E-MAIL: opinions@wyomingnews.com=20
Wyoming Journal, Newcastle, WY=20
E-MAIL: journal@trib.com
Branding Iron (University of Wyoming), Laramie, WY
E-Mail: BI@uwyo.edu ) http://bi.uwyo.edu=20
=20
USA TODAY editor@usatoday.com
Wall St. Journal letter.editor@edit.wsj.com
Dallas News letterstoeditor@dallasnews.com
New York Times letters@nytimes.com
Christian Science Monitor oped@csps.com
Newsday letters@newsday.com
Boston Globe letter@globe.com
Florida Today (Melbourne) letters@brevard.gannett.com
Columbus OH Dispatch letters@dispatch.com=20
SF Examiner letters@examiner.com
SF Chronicle chronletters@sfgate.com
TIME letters@time.com
NEWSWEEK letters@newsweek.com
U. S. NEWS letters@usnews.com
The Daily Nebraskan letters@unlinfo.unl.edu
The Pitch pitch@pitch.com
Kansas City Star letters@kcstar.com
space as a forum for spirited public debate of issues of common concern. =
Letters to the
editor should be brief, free of libel or gratuitous abuse, and must =
include a telephone number or
another suitable means of verification [ e-mail address ? ]. The Times =
may edit letters for
length, grammar and punctuation, and reserves the prerogative to reject
inappropriate letters.
We want to know what you think! Send us your letters or opinions to
editorial@lmtonline.com.
Director, University Relations
University of Wyoming
Phone: 307-766-2929
Fax: 307-766-6729
Fromkin@uwyo.edu
governor@missc.state.wy.us=20
Governor's Office, Wyoming State Capitol,
Cheyenne, WY 82002 =20
City of Laramie, P.O. Box C, Laramie, WY 82073 (307) 721-5226 Fax:=20
(307) 721-5211
immediate action on the Hate Crimes Protection Act:
http://www.house.gov
Mrs. Gore and express your outrage at this failure of the State of
Wyoming to enact adequate protection for its Gay and Lesbian citizens:
president@whitehouse.gov
vice-president@whitehouse.gov
First.Lady@whitehouse.gov
Mrs.Gore@whitehouse.gov
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**Email Matthew's Family: There is no new email address. The old one =
was so overwhelmed that a new one will be released at some date soon. =
The old email address, I've heard wore the server out.
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WEAR A BLACK RIBBON CAMPAIGN: I am encouraging the
gay/lesbian/bi/trans community and our allies to adopt the black ribbon
to signify anti-gay/lesbian violence and other hate crimes. The Black
Ribbon would best represent the bleak state of affairs in America today
for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgendered, African Americans, Other
Races and Ethnic Groups. Because we have ignorance it is dark and we
need light to shed on this ignorance so that it doesn't happen over and
over!!! Wearing a black ribbon would bring some awareness to the world
that we are not going to forget the death of Matthew Shepard, nor any of
the acts of hatred towards minorities in America today!!! Wear a black
ribbon to mourn the senseless loss of another young life to hatred and
intolerance, and to mourn the loss of security of all BGLT Americans.
This loss will not go unremembered; it must not go unpunished. We cannot
allow it to be swept under the rug. We cannot just suffer in silence any
longer.
HELP
RESTORE DIVERSITY:
Go to: =
http://geocities.datacellar.net/WestHollywood/Stonewall/2178/shepard.html to =
read the rest.
Pass the Federal Hate Crimes Act. =20
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Visiting these websites for more information and learning what hate =
crime is really about:
http://geocities.datacellar.net/WestHollywood/2178/Stonewall/shepard.html
Subject: MATTHEW SHEPARD IN THE LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Please visit these web pages for the death of Matthew Shepard as seen]
on the Laredo Morning Times front page.
http://lmtonline.com/news/s2.htm
http://lmtonline.com/news/s1.htm
Additionally, there is a pro-tolerance editorial in the Opinion =
section.
The article can be found online at
=20
http://www.azcentral.com
The editorial is not online yet (yesterday's are still posted for some=20
reason), but presumably will be some time today.
Encouragement regarding the Republic's continued prominent coverage can =
pam.johnson@pni.com
Encouragement regarding the editorial can be directed to Editorial =
Pages=20
Editor Ms. Keven Willey at
kawilley@aol.com
http://wire.ap.org/?PACKAGEID=3Ddeath
Includes new picture of flowers at site where Matthew Shepard was found =
(and
other recent topical pictures.)
Casper Star-Tribune
Anti-gay group plans to protest funeral
CASPER. Wyo. (AP)
Politics and the Religious Right." The report is available online at=20
http://www.pfaw.org/issues/right/rtvw.antigay.shtml.
This is also a place we can each find the names of our Congressmen and =
write, encouraging their support of the hate crimes bill, although the =
bigots who presently "represent" me all have definitive records of not
supporting gay rights. I have written all three anyway and will =
continue to do so.
'Send a Message' with Federal Hate Crime Laws - October 13, 1998
http://cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/9810/13/ee.03.html
http://cnn.com/US/9810/13/wyoming.attack.01/index.html=20
-October 10, 1998
http://cnn.com/US/9810/10/wyoming.attack/index.html
http://cnn.com/POLL/results/39241.html
http://cnn.com/US/9810/12/wyoming.attack.02/index.html=20
http://www.avp.org
http://www.hrc.org/issues/leg/hcpa/index.html
Shepard
[note: you must first be logged into the newspaper cite before linking =
to the
cartoon! -fb]
Tony Auth: http://www2.uclick.com/client/wpc/ta/
http://www.wichitaeagle.com/news/local/crime-courts/gaydeath1013.htm
last-night's candlelight vigil for Matthew Shepard.
You can see it at:
http://collegian.ksu.edu/issues/v103/fa/n036/news/
candidates in elections, and thir positions on many issues.
http://www.vote-smart.org/
http://geocities.datacellar.net/WestHollywood/Stonewall/2178/shepard.html=20
use on web sites and such. I am using it to link to a memorial web site =
at http://www.websine.com/shepard/matt.html, but it can be used to link =
anywhere.
command to copy the image to your own web site rather than linking to my =
copy of the image...that way my web server will not be overwhelmed.
Mike Silverman -- cubsfan@turnleft.com
http://www.turnleft.com/personal/
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Quotes from Around:
--Rev. John Barbone, A Prayer Vigil-Honoring the Life of Matthew =
Shepard and Working for Justice for All People, Kansas City Spirit of =
Hope MCC, 10/14/98
District, MCC.
mailto:BEAROFMCC@aol.com 10/14/98
------------------------------------
KTVU,
the local Fox affiliate, on its morning show hosted both The Rev. Fred
Phelps live from Topeka and the Rev. Cecil Williams, pastor of Glide
Memorial Methodist Church here. Phelps ranted, steamrolling over host =
Ross
McGowan and The Rev. Williams in his tirade. He was being questioned =
about
his plan to picket the funeral of Matt Shepard. He claimed his plan is
"loving," that "telling the truth," even if it causes some pain could =
"save"
people from hell; that telling the mourners that Matt is burning in hell
could divert others from hell.
He wouldn't allow The Rev. Williams to respond, for the most part, and =
kept
ranting as long as he could. He began using the word "faggot" =
repeatedly,
as he clearly loves to do, claiming it's "a good, biblical word." (Oh,
yeah?) At that point, McGowan, who had tried to be courteous while =
obviously
disgusted (good for him), cut Phelps off the air, saying he was not =
going to
allow him to use that word. McGowan called him a "hateful man." =
McGowan
and Williams continued to talk, giving Williams the opportunity to =
address
Phelps and antigay Christians in general with biblical interpretation =
and a
loving manner.
It served to reveal Phelps for what he is (not hard to do). It seemed =
to me
that this would be as offensive to viewers as it was to host McGowan,
predisposing them to listen more openly to what Williams had to say. =
God
works in mysterious ways, Her wonders to perform.
Overall, I think it was worthwhile. TV shows often go too far by =
enlisting
homophobes to provide a "balanced" view. This time, Phelps was clearly
there so they could ask him why he was planning such an awful thing. It =
was
a question which needed to be put, and I think the interview served a =
good
purpose.
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Related Works:
MAKING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES SAFE FOR GAY, LESBIAN,
BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER (GLBT) STUDENTS AND STAFF
by Warren J. Blumenfeld P.O. Box 929, Northampton, MA 01061;
e-mail: blumenfeld@educ.umass.edu
http://www-unix.oit.umass.edu/~blumenfe/
on Gay and Lesbian Youth, Room 111, State House, Boston, MA 02133)
(617) 727-3600 x312
An Editorial by Warren J. Blumenfeld
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people by political and "religious"=20
conservatives, and physical attacks by gay bashers, I cannot help=20
thinking about something Frederick Douglass, the escaped slave and=20
abolitionist, once said when he described the dehumanizing effects of=20
slavery not on slaves alone, but also on white slave owners, whose=20
position to slavery corrupted their humanity. While the social=20
conditions of the 19th century were very different from today,=20
nonetheless, I believe Douglass's words hold meaning by analogy:=20
=93No [person] can put a chain about the ankle of [another person]=20
without at last finding the other end fastened about his [or her] own=20
neck.=94=20
Though it cannot be denied that the scapegoating of LGBT=20
people by conservatives serves their POLITICAL interests in a=20
number of ways, eventually this strategy will backfire and the chain=20
will take hold of them.
In truth, homophobia (prejudice and discrimination against
LGBT people) is pervasive throughout the society and each of us,=20
irrespective of sexual identity, is at risk of its harmful effects.=20
First, homophobic conditioning compromises the integrity of
people by pressuring them to treat others badly, which are actions=20
contrary to their basic humanity. It inhibits one=92s ability to form =
close,=20
intimate relationships with members of one=92s own sex, generally =
restricts=20
communication with a significant portion of the population and, more=20
specifically, limits family relationships.=20
Homophobia locks all people into rigid gender-based roles,
which inhibit creativity and self expression. It often is used to
stigmatize, silence, and, on occasion, target people who are
perceived or defined by OTHERS as gay, lesbian, or bisexual,
but who are, in actuality, heterosexual.
In addition, homophobia is one cause of premature sexual
involvement, which increases the chances of teen pregnancy and the=20
spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Young people, of
ALL sexual identities, are often pressured to become
HETEROSEXUALLY active to prove to themselves and others that
they are normal.
Societal homophobia prevents some LGBT people from
developing an authentic self identity, and adds to the pressure
to marry, which in turn places undue stress and oftentimes trauma
on themselves as well as their heterosexual spouses and their
children.
Homophobia combined with sexphobia (fear and revulsion
of sex) results in the elimination of discussions of the lives and=20
sexuality of LGBT people as part of school-based sex education,
keeping vital information from all students. Such a lack of
information can kill people in the age of AIDS. And homophobia=20
(along with racism, sexism, classism, sexphobia) inhibits a unified=20
and effective governmental and societal response to the AIDS=20
pandemic.
With all of the truly important issues facing the
world, homophobia diverts energy from more constructive
endeavors. It also prevents heterosexuals from accepting the
benefits and gifts offered by LGBT people: theoretical insights,
social and spiritual visions and options, contributions in the arts
and culture, to religion, to family life, indeed, to all facets of
society. Ultimately, it inhibits appreciation of other types of
diversity, making it unsafe for everyone because each person has
unique traits not considered mainstream or dominant. Therefore,
we are ALL diminished when any one of us is demeaned.
The meaning is quite clear. When any group of people
is scapegoated, it is ultimately everyone's concern. For today,
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are targeted.
Tomorrow, they may come for you. Everyone, therefore,
has a self interest in actively working to dismantle all the many
forms of bigotry, including homophobia.
I believe that we are ALL born into an environment polluted by
homophobia (one among many forms of oppression) which falls upon us
like acid rain. For some people, spirits are tarnished to the core,
others are marred on the surface, and no one is completely protected.
Therefore, we all have a responsibility, indeed an opportunity, to join
together as allies to construct protective shelters from the corrosive
effects of bigotry while working to clean up the homophobic environment
in which we live. Once sufficient steps are taken to reduce this
pollution, we will all breathe a lot easier.
Pay the Price, and the Journal of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Identity,
and coauthor of Looking at Gay and Lesbian Life.
P.O. Box 929
Northampton, MA 01061
(413) 585-9121
blumenfeld@educ.umass.edu
For Lambda Midwest and the UNL Gay/Lesbian Alumniae Assoc., Inc.
Rodney Allen Bell, II, B.A. Political Scientist/Queer Midwest Activist
ICQ: 4734586
P.O. Box 45357, Kansas City, MO 64171 (816) 931-6829 Voice
lovespirit@earthlink.net lovespirit@juno.com lovespirit@webtv.net
Check out my auctions on ebay.com:
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/lovespirit/
"Everyone should be allowed expression, no one ought be allowed =
oppression" --RB, 1985, UNL
Web Page Content ©1998-2004Rodney Allen Bell, II, M.A. This Page Last Updated 11/10/98,10/06/04
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