BURN THE GAYS!!

Some of you may have noticed that for the past several weeks, I really haven't posted many articles in regard to bigotry and hatred that is happening in the world and I would like to explain why.  Several weeks ago I was doing some research for a blog entry that I wanted to post regarding Matthew Shephard.  I remember hearing the terrible news of how he was beaten to near death by two men only because they believed him to be gay.  Five days later, he died from his injuries.  And thirteen years later, we still read about these sorts of terrible acts still happening.  Which brings me to my quandary.  While reading others blogs about Matthew and catching up with the recent news, I happened upon an article about a video that was taken of a young man being severely beaten and then set on fire and burned to death.  From the attached article to the video, it said that the country in which this video was taken was unknown and it was believed that this man was horrifically killed simply for being gay.  It was later in the evening when I found the video and I didn't actually watch it until the next morning.  I even questioned whether to watch it at all, however in the end, I watched it. A decision I will forever regret.

I was the person who cried for three days at the cliffhanger conclusion of season 1 of 'Queer As Folk'.  If you have read any of my other 'Monster' article series, you know that I have witnessed bashing first hand. But this?  The images in this video were unreal. I found myself screaming at the screen to the people who surrounded this man being beaten by the mob to STOP THEM!!  Tears streamed down my face as I simply watched the crowd stand there and do nothing!  Absolutely the most horrific thing I believe that I have ever seen and something that will be burned into my memory forever ... the young man was set on fire and burned to death.

I tried to put the horrible images behind me by trying to think that it happened in one of those third world countries where human rights are nothing but a pipe dream.  Then to my absolute horror, I run across another story of a man being burned to death allegedly for being gay, but this time it is in Scotland. Scotland?  That isn't a third world country!  Last week, authorities were called after 28 year old Stuart Walker was found along the roadside beaten and burned.  This defies any sort of explanation.

My head reeled at the news, flashes of the video I had just witnessed weeks earlier were anew in my mind. How can something like this still be happening. Tremendous strides have been made and public awareness is great since Matthew's death but bashing to this extent still happens.

Then this morning, I read this and this time it is in Reno, TX. That is practically in my own very large backyard;

Burke Burnett said he was at a private party at about 1 a.m. when four men suddenly attacked him, stabbing him at least twice with a broken beer bottle before throwing him onto a fire. His attackers yelled things like "pussy-ass faggot," "gay bitch" and "cock-sucking punk," Burnett said.
Burnett said it took 30 stitches to close stab sounds to his back and forearm, as well as a cut above his left eye. he also sustained second-degree burns and severe bruises.
"They knew I was gay," Burnett said Monday. "I'm convinced they were trying to kill me."

This is turning into the Salem Witch Hunts burning people because of your own fears or insecurities.  These recent crimes are absolutely unacceptable and have got to stop.  Regardless of what your opinion is of LGBT community or the homosexual life, you MUST remember we/they are still human and are due basic respect.   If simple respect is outside of your grasp, then it is you who has the short coming, not the other person.   Try to remember Matthew Shephard.