Letters from the Issue of February 28, 2008

Regarding the recent attacks on gays and transgendered in Ft. Lauderdale and other parts of the country I have these thoughts:

Los Olas Blvd. is one of the busiest Streets in Ft. Lauderdale. It is a major local and tourist destination. I find it hard to believe that the police have not found any surveillance cameras along this part of Ft. Lauderdale that could identify the assailant.

When one considers the attitude the mayor of Ft. Lauderdale has toward the GLBT community, it is not surprising that these incidents are occurring.

The comment the waiter made to the men attacked is a very good indication of how the GLBT community view the police of that city. “What are they going to do?”

The owner of the Floridian is doing a great service to our community and to the people of Florida by offering a reward of $5,000 out of his own pocket. It is time for everyone, gay and straight, to insist on equality and justice for all citizens.

Watching the clip of Ellen DeGeneres discuss the story of Lawrence King, the 15 y/o killed by his classmate, sent chills down my spine. It was obvious that this was extremely difficult for her to do. The tremor in her voice as she spoke, the look in her eyes and her obvious effort to fight back tears said as much, if not more than the words she spoke. I urge everyone to visit her website and view this clip.
Some will attack her for saying she is not a political person. I agree, in the sense that she is not a politician. She spoke not only as a lesbian, but as a citizen who, despite her wealth and fame, is a second class citizen in this country. I believe that was her intention when she said that.

I hope the clip is seen by more people than just those who watch her show. And you can view the clip of Melbourne Brunner on
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/sfl-227floridian,0,1981092.story?track=rss

If you are a parent, please take the time to discuss this with your children. It is your responsibility to instill in them that violence in any situation is not the answer. So many lives are wasted because of this battle. Not just from the GLBT community, but from society at large.

The GLBT community is NOT a threat to children. Hate is the threat here and always has been. As that song from Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young said, "Teach your children well".

Melbourne Brunner, 15 y/o Lawrence King, 17 y/o Simmie Williams Jr., Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Matthew Sheppard, 9/11, Oklahoma City, Harvey Milk and so many more names.

And now, on Feb 13, 2008, a young man named Brandon joined the list of names like, James Earl Ray, Dan White, Timothy McVey, Osama Bin Ladin, Fred Phelps, and so many more.

How many more names will the haters, the judgmental and fearful add to these lists? Will their parents be proud of them for this kind of behavior? Will we be able to look ourselves in the mirror when we realize our silence equaled their injuries and possibly their deaths?

Freedom of Speech. Freedom of Choice. God's Will. Marriage. Civil Rights. Religion.
When did these concepts become battle cries for violence? When did these terms become tools to deny equality to all U.S. Citizens?

Will the fighting ever end? Or will an eye for an eye leave the world blind? Only you can decide.

Where do you stand today?