This will be a brief note only, but I'd like more people to know about my neighbor, Michael J. Sandy, who died last night after being robbed and targeted for being gay. Although I live right across from his apartment, I did not know him by name at all, and I was astonished this morning to see flowers, candles and photographs piled up beneath the window across the street. I had, though, heard about Michael Sandy's case: I have been following the story this week, as it's been all over the local papers.
From what I understand, he met a guy and gave his email address. Later, he was invited to meet up for a party. When he arrived at the meet-up location, he was beaten and robbed. When he attempted to escape, he was hit by a car. Several days later, he died.
The NYPD and the DA are treating this as a hate crime, which they should. The press reports make it clear that he was only targeted because he was gay. Anyway, this is a local NYC issue in some sense; but, given how much anti-gay crap I expect to be reading in the next few months, especially following the gay-Republican implosion...well, I thought I'd post on it.
From http://www.gaycitynews.com/...
MICHAEL SANDY, THE VICTIM OF A VICIOUS GAY BASHING ON SUNDAY, DIED TODAY, FOLLOWING HIS FAMILY'S DECISION TO TAKE HIM OFF THE RESPIRATOR THAT HAD KEPT HIM ALIVE SINCE THE ATTACK.
The New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/...