i know you guys are pretty non-judgemental so i probably don't have to say this, but i'm gonna anyway: i live in a city in Alabama where nearly everyone i know works for either NASA or is a hippie working at the coffee shop/health food store/etc while they get their Environmental Engineering degree...so i tend to forget how abysmally stupid Sessions is. he does NOT represent MY current experience of Alabama. of course, i moved away from the sticks. but i do feel that the times they are a-changin'. sadly there is still racial tension, but there IS a lesbian bar within walking distance of my house, and no it doesn't have protesters standing outside of it. :) #hatecrimelaw
'Hate crimes instill fear in those who have no connection to the victim other than a shared characteristic such as race or sexual orientation.'
So... basically every guy who assaults a woman is committing a hate crime. I believe it, I just can't believe it will be classified as such. Workplace harassment, discrimination, subway gropers – all these crimes cause women to live in, if not fear, a heightened sense of awareness and realization that they may be targeted for a crime based on nothing but what's in their underpants. SO great. If this is true, amazing. #hatecrimelaw
Full disclosure: I am bisexual and transgendered. This might be triggering. Sorry. :(
I have decided not to transition for a multitude of reasons, but the biggest one I have is fear of violence. I know too many trans people, way too many trans people, who have been victims of violent crime. Crimes that were committed out of ignorance, anger and a lack of understanding. The perpetrators, you could say, hated them for what they were, and wanted nothing more than to beat the offending trait out of them. Or just simply remove the person, because that also removes the problem.
I know victims of "corrective" rape, people who were stalked, hunted in alleys and pummeled with crowbars and 2x4s (some with nails, some without), isolated from family and friends, hair pulled/cut (sometimes chunks of scalp along with the hair), clothes destroyed and laughed at by medical personnel. I know too many who gave up out of exhaustion, desperation and pain and ended their own lives.
After all, what were you doing? You can't lie to people and expect them to not be angry.
Somehow, being angry that you thought you were hitting on a biological woman, yet you were not, does not warrant 47 stab wounds, in my opinion. It does not warrant tying a person to the bumper of your truck and dragging them down the road until they fall to pieces. Oddly enough. The reactions are... disproportionate, wouldn't you say?
I was talking to my sister about this - remembering Harvey Milk. When we look back at his case, we are shocked at the "Twinkie Defense" and talk about how stupid it is. How could anyone believe that? How could people think it was all right to shoot a man five times because you binged on junk food?
My dream is that one day, we will look back at Gwen Aroujo, Brandon Teena and other transgendered victims of crimes, and recognize the tragedies that they were and are, regardless of what the person in question was doing.
We don't choose to be the way that we are. No one chooses to be gay, trans or some other non-conforming identity. We choose to act on it, but we do it with fear. The bullies beating up the gay kid is part of the gay story. We know it's gonna happen. The question is when, and how bad. These people who hurt us, they are not doing it because they want our money. They aren't doing it because they "panicked". They are not afraid for their safety, their livelihood or their families. They hate us. They want to hurt us. That might be rooted in fear, but does it matter? The end result is the same. We are hurt, we are killed, we are tortured. It is because of hate. We deserve protection, too.
I know the readers of Jez are smart cookies and are not the kinds of people who insist that transgendered people are all just fucked in the head and need to be fixed or some shit, so I am so sorry if I came off as preachy. I am afraid of people and I meet so many who have no idea the kind of terror that so many trans people have to live with each and every day. There are, of course, strong parallels, and this kind of thing clicks with other marginalized groups who need protection from hate crimes. I appreciate that I have somewhere that can report on news like this and not make me feel afraid. That there are commenters that know that the word "tranny" is offensive and we shouldn't use it. Thank you, Jezebel, and the readers/commenters, for making this a safer place. #hatecrimelaw
@boxspelunker: This was powerful shiz, honey. Thank you for sharing, and thank you for reminding those of us who are cisgendered, hetero, and otherwise socially "normative" why it's so important to be an LGBTQ ally. #hatecrimelaw
@boxspelunker: I was alreadt emotional that this finally, FINALLY!, passed, and your comment just pushed me over the edge to tears. I am so sorry that for reasons beyond your control, you have to live in fear of your own kind, and I work to change that every day.
When I was in undergrad, about 6-7 years ago, there was a biological man in my class who started wearing skirts. He looked like the Church Lady from SNL, very odd, and a few of us giggled. As the term progressed, we gort used to his ever increasing transvestisism. Then one day, he came to the front of the class and said he needed to speak to us. He explained that at 46, he could no longer keep living a lie. He introduced himself as Lucy, and explained in very frank and open language what that meant, what it was like to live for a lifetime in the wrong body, how difficult and terrifying it was to explain to her wife and children, etc. She explained to us that she wanted us to understand, because if we were to come across someone else like herself, she wanted us to react not with fear and hate but with understanding and compassion.
I was extremely touched. It was an amazing moment, and the entire class was moved. She answered all of our questions, and honestly opened our little minds. I honestly think she made a huge difference there.
The best part of the story is that her church embraced her, supported her family, helped counsel her wife ad children, and generally made her transition OK. The family is still together lat I saw her, a few years ago, and the kids are -gasp!- totally OK.
This was in Daphne, AL, a tiny town you've probably never heard of. In ALABAMA. I always think of her when I get too depressed, because if Ala-fuckyoujeffsessions-bama can accept and love, then there is still hope for the rest of the world.
People like you, like Lucy, can and do make a difference. The hate is huge and at times seems insurmountable, but it is being worn down, a little at a time. It is unjust that you bear the burden, but please know that you have friends and supporters everywhere. Even in a tiny conservative coastal town in the South. #hatecrimelaw
@boxspelunker: Thank you for sharing your story. Truly, it brought tears to my eyes. I'm a gay female, and I really feel that all of our community must work TOGETHER to end this horrific discrimination and violence. I hope that you and I will one day be able to live in a world where we do not fear this type of crime. #hatecrimelaw
@boxspelunker: I don't know you, but I am sure you are a beautiful person both inside and out! I hope that this passes so people never feel like they can't be who they are because certain small minded and ignorant individuals who disagree with it. We need to love each other as members of human race regardless of sexual orientation, gender or race.
I am sending love and strength in your direction! #hatecrimelaw
@suzannelb: Aw, thank you! I always feel like a preachy, overdramatic jerk, but I get all worked up. And man, do I value allies. I told my sister this, and I think it is true for so many situations: So often, our allies are the only thing standing between us and the beating. When someone "normal" defends us, it gives us legitimacy, and that is powerful, too.
@VirginiaDentata: I'm sorry! I don't like making people cry!
I know people like Lucy, and I'm so glad that she was accepted and was able to talk about what it meant to be transgendered, and that apparently, it came across well. It's really scary to admit to a large group of people why you are the way you are, because you never know how people will react. Or if they will tell others and out you, and who knows how far that will travel and what kinds of people it will reach. Our allies are some of our most powerful tools in dealing with injustice, and thank you for being understanding.
@SaturdaysChild: Me too. Working together is pretty much the only option - For many, I know it's hard because of the stereotypes associated with gay people wanting to be the opposite sex and how hard it is to combat that, and then have transgendered people come along and BAM there is a new layer of judgment and crap. aarrrgggh, that sucks, but one day, we will not have to be afraid. One day, we will look back at this and think how absurd and unreal the whole deal was, and people will think of it as terribly backward. :)
@VirginiaDentata: Thanks for sharing this story. It's truly touching and we all need more daily reminders of the courage that is needed for trans people to be open, especially in such a condemning (for the most part) society. #hatecrimelaw
@judgingnora: I believe that the simplest explanation of cisgendered is "identifying your gender with the biological sex with which you were born." #hatecrimelaw
@boxspelunker: Please be preachy and overdramatic to me; it helps. I'm sorry to say that while I'd go to the mat for GLBT people, I still don't fully understand transgender. This is probably because while I've had plenty of friends on the queer spectrum, I've never actually known any transpeople. My limited knowledge is that it's basically a case of being born in the wrong body, but I could stand to be much better educated. #hatecrimelaw
@boxspelunker: Thank you for sharing. Reading your post broke my heart because people are stupid and cruel for no reason at all, but after reading the other Jezzies' responses, it kind of makes me feel like there might be enough of us that are willing to make a difference to society's views on people who are transgender. You are a much stronger person than any of the idiots who would hurt someone just because of who they are. Sending lots of love and hugs your way! #hatecrimelaw
One thing I will never get is people who don't understand hate crime laws. I can imagine a few of them are just narrow-minded bigots that don't want to be punished harder just because they sought out a victim based on their gender, sexual orientation or race. But there are others, supposedly intelligent, level-headed people who try to antagonize the very idea of hate crimes by labeling them "thought crimes". How hard is it to get that certain crimes would never have happened without the element of hate? Matthew Shepard would still be alive if he hadn't been gay. Why is that so hard to comprehend?
@EkaterinaBallerina: I agree. To play devil's advocate, they'd argue all, for example, murders are hate crimes, thus this law would send the message that one murder victim is more precious than another. (which is complete bunk)
My first reaction to the passage was Halle-freaking-lujah. It's so nice to have a President in the White House that won't veto it!
@EkaterinaBallerina: Yeah, I know what you mean. That whole "thought crime" is so beyond stupid. People aren't being arrested for HATING another group, but for acting on that hate, so once again, the side arguing against progress and justice isn't making any sense. #hatecrimelaw
@EkaterinaBallerina: The "thought crime" argument is bothersome to me too . . . but there are other arguments against hate crime legislation that I find pretty thought provoking. Primarily, that this legislation merely increases prison sentences-and that prisons, for so many reasons, are not places to administer justice on behalf of marginalized communities. This link expresses the objections much better than I could. . .
To be honest, i am not sure where i stand on on HC leg. And, I'm curious what the rest of you have to say about these other arguments. . . #hatecrimelaw
Oh, I would love to have seen the sort of mental writhing the Republicans went through.
I mean, do you defend the country and say it's not cool to kill gay people for being gay, or do you leave the country defenseless to make sure Americans can exercise their right to be bigoted assholes without having to face extra punishment?
@wtfox?!: The people who voted against this bill obviously think that a country where you cannot beat your gay citizens to death without repurcussion is not one worth defending. #hatecrimelaw
@wtfox?!: I'm sure for some of them, (Pat Robertson types) it's a win-win because God is only punishing America for pervasive homosexuality. If it weren't for all the gays getting married and loving each other, God would be helping America win in Afghanistan and Iraq. Everybody knows that. #hatecrimelaw
HOORAY!!!! I'm still amazed this hasn't made it through before now though.
also
"Many Republicans, normally staunch supporters of defense bills, voted against the bill because of the hate crimes provision" seriously?! I can't even begin to understand how someone's thought process could go down the lines of "this will help protect people who are victims of crime, F that, i vote no!" #hatecrimelaw
@wtfox?!: It was originally included, but they don't care about all males: just the ones that are ALSO one of the things on the list. And they care about women insofar as they are also one of the other items on the list. (When it comes to their exclusive "woman-ness," however, like in issues of equality or reproductive rights, well, that's different. That's unrelated to our national defense, and its inclusion would be deeply troubling.) #hatecrimelaw
@LaComtesse: Mmmm, yes, true true. It seems that only women would could be classified as "white and 'Traditional'" would receive protection, as we all know there are, sadly, some white women who don't care about their race and values--like those liberal hussies we hear so much about on the teevee news these days--and so when something happens to them, they're asking for it. #hatecrimelaw
@wtfox?!: Well, let's not forget how important these women's wombs are. I mean, they can carry BABIES in there. So should be protected, obviously. #hatecrimelaw
I wish there was a way to more effectively spend that money to prevent hate crimes. I just don't think someone has a baseball bat in hand and thinks "oh wait, I might get an even longer sentence for this."
I suppose this is the best option available though, and at least it gets people who are likely to commit more hate crimes off the streets for a longer time. #hatecrimesamendment
@Working-for-the-weekend: I think the point is less about the bill being a deterrent and more of a means to ensure that these crimes DO get prosecuted. A lot of states don't currently report anti-LGBT violence as hate crimes. So without the new bill, there isn't a way to get accurate numbers on how much this happens or effectively target solutions. The new bill also provides funding for dealing with hate crimes and lets the federal government step in if the local jurisdiction is dropping the ball on getting a hate crime reported or prosecuted. So no, I don't think it will make hateful assholes think any more than they generally do, about anything. But it will make damn sure we get them behind bars if their thoughts turn into violence against anyone who is gay, trans, or disabled. And that has been a long time coming. Brava to Mrs. Shepard and her family for their hard work in getting this measure passed.
@Hooplehead: I think I was just daydreaming about a world that could somehow educate people about why they shouldn't hate people based on race, gender, sexual orientation etc.
But yes, this is the best alternative in the real world. #hatecrimelaw
@Working-for-the-weekend: Seriously, check out the Matthew Shepard Foundation and Matthew's Place websites. The Shepards are doing it now, and it is awesome. But it would be nice to see that info eventually reach a more mainstream forum that people who aren't necessarily gay-friendly enough to seek MS's websites out would find. #hatecrimelaw
@cate3710: I think it was attached to ensure it's passing. Bush had vowed to veto it, so the Dems tried a different route by attaching it to a bill that Republicans would have a hard time not passing. #hatecrimelaw
@cate3710: I hate this practice, personally. I think it means a lot of good things don't get passed and a lot of bad things get passed.
Especially like those giant omnibus bills, which are usually the ones that lead to those scary-voice commercials around election season that claims senator so-and-so voted to kill old people.
If you look at the small print, its almost always some giant bill that had this stupid clause tacked on. #hatecrimelaw
@seat_5a: Yeah, it seems like a kind of shady way to do things. I wonder if it's more efficient (relatively, of course) to pass a few giant bills than lots of smaller ones? #hatecrimelaw
This is my own personal nightmare. In the month after my brother moved to New York - NEW YORK!! - a gay man (who happened to be an ex of my brother's then bf) was robbed, beaten, and thrown on to a highway. I believe his family later had him taken off of life support. The situation sounds similar - in the first instance a robbery, but homophobia played a large role. I consider the kind of person who would do that (not to mention, not understand why the victim's mother might still be upset) to be an animal, not one of us. I don't believe in the death penalty, but lock 'em up, throw away the key, I don't particularly care to hear what they have to say.
@Laulau: It's a fine line to tread. On the one hand, these homophobic malcontents should not be accorded the freedom to talk to the media at all, and them media should have enough brains to avoid handing them a microphone. On the other hand, the average American needs to understand that people like this are still out here, roaming around, spewing their venom, just one random incident away from committing the same heinous acts. We must be vigilant.
@NefariousNewt a.k.a. General Awesomesauce: Thanks, that's a really good point and reminder (and put quite beautifully). My mother (middle school counselor) was talking to their school's social worker about an article in the NYT - about middle schoolers coming out, and the support they need. His response was, "I don't think that's a problem here." As my example illustrated, that's a problem everywhere, including fricking Manhattan.
Didn't Matthew's mother ask the judge to not put her son's murderers up for the death penalty provided they promised never to do any media interviews?
They screwed that up when they did a 20/20 interview with Elizabeth Vargas (Who I've decided is an asshole for doing that), and now this.
They really are pure evil. Words can't express how disgusted I am at them.
10/23/09
10/23/09
10/23/09
So... basically every guy who assaults a woman is committing a hate crime. I believe it, I just can't believe it will be classified as such. Workplace harassment, discrimination, subway gropers – all these crimes cause women to live in, if not fear, a heightened sense of awareness and realization that they may be targeted for a crime based on nothing but what's in their underpants. SO great. If this is true, amazing. #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
(In other words, just how many senators do we have the clearly care nothing about other people?) #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
10/23/09
Full disclosure: I am bisexual and transgendered. This might be triggering. Sorry. :(
I have decided not to transition for a multitude of reasons, but the biggest one I have is fear of violence. I know too many trans people, way too many trans people, who have been victims of violent crime. Crimes that were committed out of ignorance, anger and a lack of understanding. The perpetrators, you could say, hated them for what they were, and wanted nothing more than to beat the offending trait out of them. Or just simply remove the person, because that also removes the problem.
I know victims of "corrective" rape, people who were stalked, hunted in alleys and pummeled with crowbars and 2x4s (some with nails, some without), isolated from family and friends, hair pulled/cut (sometimes chunks of scalp along with the hair), clothes destroyed and laughed at by medical personnel. I know too many who gave up out of exhaustion, desperation and pain and ended their own lives.
After all, what were you doing? You can't lie to people and expect them to not be angry.
Somehow, being angry that you thought you were hitting on a biological woman, yet you were not, does not warrant 47 stab wounds, in my opinion. It does not warrant tying a person to the bumper of your truck and dragging them down the road until they fall to pieces. Oddly enough. The reactions are... disproportionate, wouldn't you say?
I was talking to my sister about this - remembering Harvey Milk. When we look back at his case, we are shocked at the "Twinkie Defense" and talk about how stupid it is. How could anyone believe that? How could people think it was all right to shoot a man five times because you binged on junk food?
My dream is that one day, we will look back at Gwen Aroujo, Brandon Teena and other transgendered victims of crimes, and recognize the tragedies that they were and are, regardless of what the person in question was doing.
We don't choose to be the way that we are. No one chooses to be gay, trans or some other non-conforming identity. We choose to act on it, but we do it with fear. The bullies beating up the gay kid is part of the gay story. We know it's gonna happen. The question is when, and how bad. These people who hurt us, they are not doing it because they want our money. They aren't doing it because they "panicked". They are not afraid for their safety, their livelihood or their families. They hate us. They want to hurt us. That might be rooted in fear, but does it matter? The end result is the same. We are hurt, we are killed, we are tortured. It is because of hate. We deserve protection, too.
I know the readers of Jez are smart cookies and are not the kinds of people who insist that transgendered people are all just fucked in the head and need to be fixed or some shit, so I am so sorry if I came off as preachy. I am afraid of people and I meet so many who have no idea the kind of terror that so many trans people have to live with each and every day. There are, of course, strong parallels, and this kind of thing clicks with other marginalized groups who need protection from hate crimes. I appreciate that I have somewhere that can report on news like this and not make me feel afraid. That there are commenters that know that the word "tranny" is offensive and we shouldn't use it. Thank you, Jezebel, and the readers/commenters, for making this a safer place. #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
10/23/09
When I was in undergrad, about 6-7 years ago, there was a biological man in my class who started wearing skirts. He looked like the Church Lady from SNL, very odd, and a few of us giggled. As the term progressed, we gort used to his ever increasing transvestisism. Then one day, he came to the front of the class and said he needed to speak to us. He explained that at 46, he could no longer keep living a lie. He introduced himself as Lucy, and explained in very frank and open language what that meant, what it was like to live for a lifetime in the wrong body, how difficult and terrifying it was to explain to her wife and children, etc. She explained to us that she wanted us to understand, because if we were to come across someone else like herself, she wanted us to react not with fear and hate but with understanding and compassion.
I was extremely touched. It was an amazing moment, and the entire class was moved. She answered all of our questions, and honestly opened our little minds. I honestly think she made a huge difference there.
The best part of the story is that her church embraced her, supported her family, helped counsel her wife ad children, and generally made her transition OK. The family is still together lat I saw her, a few years ago, and the kids are -gasp!- totally OK.
This was in Daphne, AL, a tiny town you've probably never heard of. In ALABAMA. I always think of her when I get too depressed, because if Ala-fuckyoujeffsessions-bama can accept and love, then there is still hope for the rest of the world.
People like you, like Lucy, can and do make a difference. The hate is huge and at times seems insurmountable, but it is being worn down, a little at a time. It is unjust that you bear the burden, but please know that you have friends and supporters everywhere. Even in a tiny conservative coastal town in the South. #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
10/23/09
I am sending love and strength in your direction! #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
@VirginiaDentata: I'm sorry! I don't like making people cry!
I know people like Lucy, and I'm so glad that she was accepted and was able to talk about what it meant to be transgendered, and that apparently, it came across well. It's really scary to admit to a large group of people why you are the way you are, because you never know how people will react. Or if they will tell others and out you, and who knows how far that will travel and what kinds of people it will reach. Our allies are some of our most powerful tools in dealing with injustice, and thank you for being understanding.
@SaturdaysChild: Me too. Working together is pretty much the only option - For many, I know it's hard because of the stereotypes associated with gay people wanting to be the opposite sex and how hard it is to combat that, and then have transgendered people come along and BAM there is a new layer of judgment and crap. aarrrgggh, that sucks, but one day, we will not have to be afraid. One day, we will look back at this and think how absurd and unreal the whole deal was, and people will think of it as terribly backward. :)
@missheidilynn: Thank you! I appreciate it. #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
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10/23/09
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10/23/09
10/23/09
10/23/09
My first reaction to the passage was Halle-freaking-lujah. It's so nice to have a President in the White House that won't veto it!
/Happy dance! #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
10/23/09
[www.blackandpink.org]
To be honest, i am not sure where i stand on on HC leg. And, I'm curious what the rest of you have to say about these other arguments. . . #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
I mean, do you defend the country and say it's not cool to kill gay people for being gay, or do you leave the country defenseless to make sure Americans can exercise their right to be bigoted assholes without having to face extra punishment?
CONUNDRUM. #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
10/23/09
10/23/09
Now if only we could prevent hate crimes altogether. Maybe one day.. #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
also
"Many Republicans, normally staunch supporters of defense bills, voted against the bill because of the hate crimes provision" seriously?! I can't even begin to understand how someone's thought process could go down the lines of "this will help protect people who are victims of crime, F that, i vote no!" #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
LaToya, it's not terrorism unless the target is any/any combination of the following...
White
Straight
Unborn
Wealthy
Christian
"Traditional'
SO-CALLED "hate crimes" can therefore never be terrorism. #hatecrimesamendment
10/23/09
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10/23/09
10/23/09
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10/23/09
I suppose this is the best option available though, and at least it gets people who are likely to commit more hate crimes off the streets for a longer time. #hatecrimesamendment
10/23/09
10/23/09
But yes, this is the best alternative in the real world. #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
10/23/09
10/23/09
10/23/09
10/23/09
Especially like those giant omnibus bills, which are usually the ones that lead to those scary-voice commercials around election season that claims senator so-and-so voted to kill old people.
If you look at the small print, its almost always some giant bill that had this stupid clause tacked on. #hatecrimelaw
10/23/09
09/29/09
09/29/09
09/29/09
09/29/09
09/29/09
They screwed that up when they did a 20/20 interview with Elizabeth Vargas (Who I've decided is an asshole for doing that), and now this.
They really are pure evil. Words can't express how disgusted I am at them.
09/29/09
09/29/09