Why do LGBT people want a federal hate crime law?

[dsc]

Here is why

http://www.kcavp.org/pressReleases/2005/20050718.htm

The two women were walking holding hands in the 39th street corridor of Kansas City when a car with two individuals drove by yelling anti-LGBT slurs at the women. The car came around the block again and the occupants continued to yell slurs at the two women. The car came around the block a third time, and a woman jumped out of the car with a bat and began wailing on one of the women. The suspect fled in the car after a tow truck drove by and flashed its lights.

The Kansas City, Missouri police were called to the victim’s home as a passerby took the women home. More than 30 minutes later, two officers arrived who told the women “they didn’t have to respond to the call at all” and would not acknowledge that it was a hate crime even though anti-LGBT slurs had been yelled and was motivated because the two women were walking together. The police also gave no appearance of caring or motivation to pursue who perpetrated the crime. Both women are now recovering, one with head injuries including a concussion from the bashing

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It is a very rare LGBT person who hasn't been themselves or known someone who has been bashed. By most counts these crimes are actually increasing in number, though admittedly not as fast as the number of out LGBT people. Yes this is Missouri but this happens all to often in losts of blue states too. Unless and until states are more protective of our rights, we are going to want the feds to do so.

[Fiona]

1. Well

you know what the right-wingers say. You can't punish thoughts, only actions.

Now, of course, why flag-burning should be punished beyond simple arson is a mystery....

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. OMG

How horrible. And you know what? I live in KC and this is the first I have heard of this story. :grr:

Our crime rate has been skyrocketing lately but that is still no excuse for the cops to act the way they did.

Thanks for posting. Do you mind if I copy and paste in the MO forum?

[dsc]

3. Of course not

There is a full thread about this in the gay forum too. You can post mine or theirs or both. The more who see this the better.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Will do

I think I will also send this to a friend who is a cop in KCMO. She is also gay.

[dsc]

5. I bet she will be very interested

I would love her take on the particular officer if she is able to figure out who it was.

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. OK

I will let you know what she has to say.