Fifteen-year-old Lawrence King was shot and killed Feb. 12 in his school because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. In March, remarks by Sally Kern, an Oklahoma congresswoman, gained attention when she said gay people were more dangerous than terrorists. A transgender woman was recently found murdered in Detroit. Now, right next door in Lansing’s Old Town, home of gay bars Spiral Video Dance Bar and Esquire Bar, 10 separate buildings have been spray-painted with hate slurs such as, “Kill Gays,” “KG” and “Mushroom Militia Kill Gays.” Eighteen-year-old Dustin Corey Green, the suspected person behind these malicious acts, has been arrested and charged for three separate crimes in relation to this attack. The crimes include malicious destruction of property against a business, minor in possession of alcohol and possessing a knife with a blade longer than three inches. All of these crimes are misdemeanors.
Unfortunately, LBGT people do not receive legal protection against what should be considered hate crimes, intimidation on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. According to federal and Michigan laws, spray-painting “Kill Gays” on a building is on par with juvenile graffiti along the lines of “Joey hearts Suzy.” The Michigan Legislature still is debating whether to pass anti-bullying laws that include sexual orientation. Legislators apparently are not concerned. This has to change. The LBGT civil rights movement in Michigan has faced major setbacks lately, including the passage of Proposal 2 in 2004, which banned gay marriage (or similar union for any purpose), officially making gays second-class citizens.
Even in the face of these brutal reminders of our second-class citizen status, we are proud. Pride is openly acknowledging who we are, and refusing to be controlled by the bigots who want to force us, through fear and legislation, to be just as miserable as they are. Pride is about celebrating the freedom we already have and have fought for, especially here at MSU. Pride is about fighting for full equality.
This coming week is Pride Week, and we have one of the best lineups of events. We ask everyone from the community to join us at our events. It is especially important at this point in history for people to come out against LBGT hate crimes and in support of LBGT rights regardless of their own sexual preference, gender identity or political affiliations. LBGT rights are human rights. Though some would like to sit on it, there is no fence in civil rights issues. You are either on the side of justice or you are complacent in continued oppression. To paraphrase T.J. Jourian, the greatest privilege the majority has is the privilege to stay silent. Please don’t abuse that privilege. Speak out. Come celebrate with us this Pride Week and show your support. Hope to see you all there!
For information on our events please visit www.lbgtrc.msu.edu/events/pride.htm.
Justin Lippi
programming board representative for Alliance of Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, Transgender and Straight Ally Students in accordance with: Alliance of LGBTA Students, Respecting Individuals on Neutral Grounds (RING), People Respecting the Individuality of Students at MSU (PRISM), People Respecting Individuality Diversity and Equality (PRIDE), Spectrum, TransAction
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