I know that many people on this site do not believe in hate crimes. I respectully disagree (and hope that we can not have that debate in this diary, which is meant merely as a memorial). To me a hate crime is not just a crime against the individual who is hurt or killed but against everyone who is a member of the hated group. For this reason, I rejoice that the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. But the joy that I feel is tempered by the sadness that I feel for those who have been victims. So, today we at WGLB would like to remember and pay our respects to those whose lives have been lost. (Obviously, this is not an exclusive list. Please feel free to add names and stories in the comments.
UPDATE: Hat tip to BoxerDave for this link to a more comprehensive list of hate crimes victims.
Charles Howard- a 23 year-old gay man...killed for being gay.
Lawrence King- a 15 year-old gay man...killed for being gay.
Steven Domer- 62 year old gay man killed for being gay
Satender Singh- 26 year old gay man killed for being gay
Michael Sandy-29 year old gay man died for being gay
Ahmed Khalil- 14 year old Iraqi gay teen executed by police
Philip Walsted- Young man who is thought to have been murdered because he was gay.
Sakia Gunn-Lesbian teenager stabbed to death, because she was gay.
Richie Phillips- 36 year old man, who the prosecution felt was lured to motel room and murdered for being gay.
Justin Enos- murdered because he danced "like a girl."
Scotty Weaver- Gay teen beaten, strangled, stabbed, cut and burned.
link_matson_ap.jpg (9456 bytes)
Gary Matson link_mowder_ap.jpg (10796 bytes)
Winfiel Mowder- gay couple murdered in their beds while sleeping.
Brandon Teena- a young transman killed because he was born in the wrong body. His story is told in the video below.
Mario Vera- attacked and beaten while his attackers made anti-Mexican comments.
And so many more...
I would like to close today's diary with President Obama's statement about hate crimes the evening that he signed the bill into law.