I understand your point. It is a “different perspective,” to be sure. But it remains a terribly mistaken one. Indeed, it represents a downright dangerous distraction from where our hate crime-fighting focus should be, IMHO. It is certainly not the “best way to bring attention to anti-LGBT hate crimes.”

That comment suggests you don’t understand what the problem is. But I know that can’t be right, because you’re a good lawyer. You know how the criminal justice system has to work to be effective.

The problem in DC remains the failure of our police (MPD) to seriously investigate, pursue, and arrest the perpetrators of these anti-LGBT hate crimes crimes to get them off our streets. That’s the way violent crime is DETERRED in every city across this nation, and around the world.

There is nothing mysterious about that. And there is absolutely nothing requiring “political support” in that process. Nor should there be. Hates crimes MUST be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted, as evidence warrants– as a matter of law.

Moreover, Lanier, Gray and Mendelson, the responsible government officials who have utterly failed to protect LGBTs from this growing anti-LGBT 6-year crime wave– are only too delighted to use such “political opinion” distractions to continue their BIG LIE to DC’s LGBT residents.

Through photo-ops, post-crime rallies, feckless oversight hearings, and other empty PR gestures, these hypocritical politicians attempt to perpetuate the myth that they care about LGBT public safety. We’ve seen their dog and pony shows many times befor. But the record of horrific, unsolved anti-LGBT assaults and homicides have proven, year after year, that they DO NOT care about the lives and public safety of LGBT residents and vistors.

Now we have to worry about whether COUNCIL is AGAIN engaged in another coverup of MPD’s police malfeasance, sex crime case cover-ups, abuse of sex crimes victims– and perhaps criminal police misconduct, as reported by Human Rights Watch– well OVER ONE MONTH AGO, now.

PS/Judiciary Committee Chair Tommy Wells promised to schedule a “serious” oversight hearing and investigation into the Human Rights Watch report’s allegations… letting the chips fall where they may. Yadda, yadda.

But after over a month, Tommy Wells has not even bothered to SCHEDULE a date for such a MPD oversight hearing. What does that tell us about Tommy Wells’ concern for women and LGBT victims of rape, sex assaults– and likely his concern for anti-LGBT hate crimes coverups by MPD, too?

Wells’ ‘independent’ pro bono law firm investigation (Crowell & Moring) was reportedly going to have a preliminary review of HRW’s report ready THIS WEEK (BLT/ LegalTimes Blog, 12 Feb). So why hasn’t Tommy Wells scheduled a committee hearing yet?

The same press report said that Crowell & Moring’s FULL report would be ready in 4 to 6 weeks. That deadline window begins just five days from now (Tues, 12 Mar).

Let’s hope Crowell & Moring meets that time frame, sooner rather than later– because DC’s rape and sex crimes victims should not have to wait on COUNCIL and Tommy Wells to know whether they will be just as traumatized by an abusive MPD, as they were by their attackers.

What is troubling is that we have already seen how a “blue-ribbon” and “independent” ‘hate crimes task force’ — of, by and for Chief Lanier — now rightly lacks credibility due to the apparent close ties and/ or cronyism involved in its appointment and control — by MPD’s police chief. Chief Lanier and her policies, should also be the subject of any fair investigation of MPD procedures and/or allegations of wrongdoing with respect to hate crimes.

No more COUNCIL coverups of police abuses and other malfeasance, please. If we need a special prosecutor, let’s get on with it. DC need to be able to trust its police department.
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for ref…google: “Cops union: Mendelson ignored sex assaults allegations”

I’m not blaming the victim. The only people to blame for hate crimes are the perpetrators of those crimes. My article was designed to give some perspective on why some communities have not joined our anti-LGBT hate crimes plight and what we, as well as other communities, can do so that society views LGBT hate crimes and all acts of violence as something that we all should care about.

My article deals with the best way to bring attention to anti-LGBT hate crimes & gives a different perspective on why some past attempts to bring attention to the issue haven’t been effective. This article isn’t designed to address why they’re increasing, so I’m not blaming anyone for the increase. I do agree that we need to ensure all elected and appointed officials are doing their part to address the issue.

The repeated failures of our responsible government leaders– Lanier, Mendelson, Gray and Fenty (and now, Wells) is where the blame for rising anti-LGBT violence lies– or, if it happens, where credit for provable crime abatement can be given.

Residents of every civilized city, county and town government in this country understand that most important of all local government responsibilities.

We have a police chief who has presided over 6 straight years of rising anti-LGBT hate crimes. What don’t you understand about that? And you’re blaming the LGBT community for not speaking out about every crime?

What don’t you understand about discriminatory policing? Or violation of a victim’s civil rights under color of authority?

Moreover, the notion that LGBT public safety is dependent on the LGBT community being better “squeaky wheels” so as to garner sufficient public support to be worthy of protection by DC’s MPD is absurd. Just what do you think our chief of police and other government leaders get paid to do?

Democratic Party leaders better start caring about the lives and public safety of the LGBT residents they purport to serve. We’ve had enough rubber stamping of the lame excuses of Lanier, Gray and Mendelson– including the police abuses of hate crimes, rape and sex assaults in our city– and very likely MPD and Mendelson de facto cover-ups of same.

DCTC and Jason Terry have just blown the cover off Lanier’s cronyism and likely bias of her sham “hate crimes task force.” See Blade report…
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2013/02/27/trans-group-d-c-hate-crimes-review-biased-toward-police/

Should the LGBT community be blamed for that, too?

If you really care about the public safety of DC’s women and LGBT residents, why aren’t you demanding accountability from Lanier, Gray and Wells on the outrages of the Human Right Watch report regarding MPD’s sex crimes coverup and abuses (and who-knows how much more)?

(for ref. vid and HRW Report links, google:
“YouTube DC Police Fail Rape Victims”)