Comments on: Hundreds march against anti-LGBT violence

By: Lauravan

Lauravan — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 01:48:30 +0000

Chief Lanier has her nerve showing her face at his march. She does so little to apprehend the suspects of hate crimes against the LGBT community you’d think she’d stay at home and read some homophobic propaganda or something. Skanky old broad!

By: Cedric Bee

Cedric Bee — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 20:58:18 +0000

We should never forget Mathew Shepard and the many who have suffered, been beaten, bullied, put out of homes, raped, and yes KILLED. Hate is NOT an option!! You can be killed in other countries for being gay and/or put in jail. This is AMERICA! This hate and evil should not go unnoticed. YES, we do have laws. But we need to be loud and teach and let others know how hate is used in churches and families. If we can change the minds and maybe the hearts of churches and fmilies that being gay is not a reason to condemnation, then we be a petter people. If a church post, “ALL ARE WELCOME” then do so. Welcome ALL!. If not, tell it that so-and-so is NOT welcome! God never truned anyone away who cryed out for love. But churches and family do. Let’s work together to end this! I am doing my part as a 59yo black, gay, and HIV+ (30 year serviver). I am glade to see outreach in the black community. Still, there is a very long way to go. We can’t do it alone. We need more togetherness and communication and yes…EDUCATION.

By: Comic: DC’s Tale of Two Cities | Washington Blade - America's Leading Gay News Source

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:37:11 +0000

[...] READ THE WASHINGTON BLADE’S COVERAGE OF THE ANTI-HATE MARCH HERE [Translate] Related Stories [...]

By: CHRISTOPHER ALLEN HORTON

CHRISTOPHER ALLEN HORTON — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 19:08:58 +0000

FIRST, I WILL SAY “KUDOS” TO MARCH ORGANIZERS AND BEST WISHES TO THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES. I SINCERELY MEAN THAT. HOWEVER, FROM MY STANDPOINT, THERE SEEMS TO BE ANOTHER VICTIM – MR. ANTWAN HOLCOMB. I LIVE IN MEMPHIS. I AM READING A NEWSPAPER FROM “DC.” I CAN ONLY GO BY WHAT I READ. SINCE “DC” LAW ENFORCEMENT SAID NO FINGERPRINTS, NOR, DNA BELONGING TO MR. HOLCOMB WAS FOUND AT THE SCENE, I HAVE A “DUTY” – AS A NEGRO MALE – TO GIVE MR. HOLCOMB THE BENEFIT-OF-THE-DOUBT. PERIOD. [I know what it is like to be arrested and jailed (I am a nudist). People in "DC" seem to want to "throw Mr. Holcomb to the dogs." That's cold-blooded!]. BASED ON INFORMATION RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC, EVERY NEGRO MALE IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SHOULD SUPPORT MR. HOLCOMB’S CAUSE IN SPIRIT.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
CHRISTOPHER ALLEN HORTON

By: brian

brian — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:04:26 +0000

Thank you, Patrick Pressman and to GLOV and A.J. Singletary– and to all the organizers and participants in Tuesday’s protest against hate crimes in DC. LGBT communities and residents throughout DC, Maryland and Virginia owe each of you a debt of gratitude. You have stood up, borne witness and demanded more effective action from our leaders.

Of course, our thoughts and prayers for their speedy recovery remain with the victims of these three horrific hate crimes. We also continue to mourn the loss and/or shattered lives of LGBT hate violence victims in DC who have yet to receive justice.

Thanks to Council Chair Kwame Brown, our city’s At Large Councilmemebr Michael Brown and to Ward 4 Councilmeber Muriel Bowser for showing their own personal, as well as the Council’s proactive solidarity with our communities’ outrage over these ongoing hate crimes. Chairman Brown’s commitment to strengthen the hate crimes law should be particularly appreciated.

Criminal acts of *Stalking* (smaller acts of repeated harassment) and *Threats* should have been added by now to DC’s hate crimes law “designated acts” list. Such acts are common among those who wish to express their hate for LGBT people, and are too often stepping stones to more violent acts.

I reserve a special note of gratitude for the presence and vocal support of Councilmember Jim Graham of Ward 1– as if anyone needs be reminded– for his tireless personal commitment to LGBTs in DC and throughout the region.

For all his adult life in DC, Jim Graham has always been there for LGBT residents and stakeholders, inspiring and bringing hope– not just for Ward 1, not just for DC, but for all LGBT residents across the region. Jim Graham is one of our community’s heroes every day of his life. And he has set a tough standard of commitment and public service for others to emulate.

Thanks to Jeffrey Richardson and Gustavo Velasquez for their presence, and their work on behalf of LGBT and Human Rights issues for Mayor Gray.

Thanks, as well, should go to MPD Police Chief Cathy Lanier for her presence and words of solidarity with all opposing anti-LGBT violence.

Our LGBT communities must continue efforts to make MPD better. MPD needs to be far more transparent, to the fullest extent possible, as to their investigative efforts– for each and every anti-LGBT attack. That ongoing community process will likely, and necessarily, involve criticism of both MPD’s and the Chief’s performance. That’s the way things work in our free country. No law enforcement body can be exempt from that process.

However, the personal appearance and involvement of our city’s Top Cop, like no other, puts a face on the commitment and resolve against anti-LGBT violence– on behalf of all of our city’s hard-working police and criminal justice pros. Thank you, Chief Lanier.