Gay student attacked because of his sexuality!

[Q3JR4]

On November 10, 2006 a gay student was attacked on Boise State University's campus in Boise Idaho. The attacker came up on him from behind and hit him with a blunt object while yelling ant-gay epithets.

Ladies and gentlemen this has got to STOP!

We need to lobby our congress people to pass federal legislation addressing hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity/expression for the states who are too backward to do what is right (like Idaho).

We stand up and present ourselves to society wanting only to be left alone. They do nothing but push us back down again because we're being too visible or to vocal. Well fuck them! I'm tired of all the shit directed toward us. It's time for our elected representatives to put up or shut up. I know it won't make a difference, but I will be emailing mine. I'll also be emailing Nanci Pelosi ([e-mail]) and Harry Reid, once I figure out how.

Let's band together and do what's right for all Americans.

[StraightDope]

1. Link?

[niallmac]

2. I'm not finding the article. Can you provide the link please?

Thanks.

[LiberalFighter]

3. Spread the word that those that attack gays will become infected

There are microbes that quickly spread whenever contact is made and will cause the infected to become gay. To prevent infestation the attacker must be wearing a hazmat suit that is seamless and does not allow light to penetrate.

[xchrom]

4. some of the reasons they attack us is because of the aids epeidemic and the

mythologies surrounding it.

they think they are stopping a literal and figurative infection.

your scenario is a little scary for those reasons.

[LiberalFighter]

7. If it stops them from attacking for fear of catching (they have to be idiots)

[Q3JR4]

5. RE: Link.

This story is relatively new, so I don't think the news media in Boise has had a chance to do anything up about it. The student newspaper here on campus did post a story and that can be found here.

Once the Boise news media writes a story, I'll post the link for that as well.

[William769]

8. Thanks for the link.

Just like low life scum to attack from behind and use a weapon!

[MuseRider]

6. This is one of the reasons

I do not support "outing" even for hypocrites. People do not realize what they are potentially setting people up to deal with.

I agree with you, this has to stop. It is disgusting that it continues.

[Vorta]

9. There is already a law against attacking someone and hitting him.

We have made tremendous gains in addressing the real problem of the past, which was having crimes against gay people go unreported, unprosecuted, lesser prosecuted, or lesser punished.

I understand why people want hate crimes laws, but I can't support them. It doesn't make sense that had this man not yelled gay epithets it would not have been a hate crime despite the fact that his motive would have been the same. The Trev Broudy case is a prime example. Here we have three men who attacked Trev Broudy on a street in West Hollywood, miles from where the attackers lived.

Dotson reportedly told detectives that he, Walker and Sessions were driving around West Hollywood looking for people to rob. They chose that area because there were "white people with money," according to his statement.

Dotson said it never crossed his mind whether or not the victims were gay and that he had "no problems with gay people."

When Walker spoke to detectives, however, he reportedly told them that he and his friends saw two men who were "hugging and kissing" and that he heard Sessions say, "Oh, they are gay ... I am about to bust me some faggots."

So get this mess. The DA says he can't prosecute as a hate crime, despite the circumstance and apparent lack of attempt to rob Broudy, but then he has a statement from one of the defendants that their goal was to attack white people, another says it was to attack gay people and because they conflict it's difficult. But it's not a hate crime because they didn't yell epithets and it's not clear what their intent was.

Lock up violent felons and let them worry about why they did it.

[Creideiki]

12. There's also a law against setting bombs and blowing them up

and yet we have anti-terrorism bills that call for harsher punishments.

The way to think about this is as terrorism directed toward gay people.

[Q3JR4]

10. More info.

The student in question had his car vandalized with spray paint before he was attacked.

I've been going to school at BSU for 6 years and to my knowledge no one has ever been physically attacked for this reason.

Q3JR4

[pro_blue_guy]

11. That is appauling. I can only hope that never happens to me :( I hope he is alright

[Sapphocrat]

13. Well...

...it is Boise.

It's appalling, and sickening, and angers me beyond words -- but I'm not surprised it happened up there.

(Sorry, Idahoans, but I'd rather take my chances trying to make medical decisions for my partner while stranded in Virginia before I'd ever set foot in Idaho again.)