Crazy Like A Foxx!

During a debate on the floor of the House of Representatives, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx made a statement so appalling it has caused an outcry worldwide! She gave the U.S.A just more proof that the republican party has little on the menu concerning affairs for social or economic reform. She debased the memory of an innocent victim killed in a hate crime.

Mathew Shepard was a 22yr. young man singled out and murdered by two men for his sexuality. He was lured from a bar by one and pistol whipped, stabbed, beat, burned and attached to a barbed wire fence were he was left to die. He remained there in agonizing pain for 18 hours before being discovered by a biker.Mathew died five days later in the intensive care of Poudre Valley Hospital.

The assailants,Henderson and Mckinney, were not charged for hate crimes--at this time the legislation did not exist. Mathew Shepard’s parents,Judy and Dennis, fought tirelessly for a bill which would acknowledged these assaults as a hate crime.

On March 20th,2007 The Mathew Sheppard act was introduced to the U.S Congress by Dem.John Conyers and passed in The House of Representatives on May 3rd,that same year. Other legislation similar to this one passed on September 7th,2007-- which President Bush claimed he would veto if it reached his desk.

Yesterday on the House floor Rep. Virginia Foxx debated the expansion of the hate crimes legislation by saying:

"I also would like to point out that there was a bill -- the hate crimes bill that's called the Matthew Shepard bill is named after a very unfortunate incident that happened where a young man was killed, but we know that that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn't because he was gay. This -- the bill was named for him, hate crimes bill was named for him, but it's really a hoax that continues to be used as an excuse for passing these bills,"

Well...the torches are lit and the villagers are angry!These remarks have offended people worldwide!Americans immediately began protests demanding this woman’s apology or resignation! The congresswoman’s office was flooded with e-mails and phone calls from people expressing their anger. So in a statement which increased the insult to injury, instead of a full apology she remarked,

"The term 'hoax' was a poor choice of words used in the discussion of the hate-crimes bill,Mr. Shepard's death was nothing less than a tragedy, and those responsible for his death certainly deserved the punishment they received."

It was more than a “poor” choice of words, it was a horrific choice!

A hate crime is more than an assault against homosexuality it is profiling meant to suppress and terrorize race,sexuality,religion, or social group. And today being my birthday all I ask is for a sincere apology or resignation from Congresswoman Virginia Foxx!


Sources:MSNBC,Associated Press,Wikipedia-Matthew Shepard,Matthew Shepard Foundation

Jamaican Justice...

Jamaica...the land that is known for its beautiful beaches, laid back mentality,and advertises a wonderful love of life has forgotten to mention that it is one of the most homophobic places in the world! Under Jamaican law homosexuality is punishable by ten years of hard labor. While an adult male sexually assaulting a teenage girl only warrants seven. There’s something very wrong with this picture! Why should the lifestyles of two consenting individuals and what they do in the privacy of their own homes concern another? Living in Jamaica as a GLBT (Gay,Lesbian,Bi-Sexual,or Transgendered)has been compared to living in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban! There are vigilante groups combing the streets with automatic weapons killing without remorse, having no solid proof of their victims sexuality--exacting a “Sexual Salem Witch Hunt”!

In the U.S. the GLBT of San Francisco has launched a boycott of Jamaican tourism and products. This protest starting in San Francisco have worked there way to New York City. This grassroots protests though well intentioned, were not sanctioned by J-FLAG (Jamaican Forum for All Sexual and Gays) are considered to be causing more harm than good. These protests are thought to single out certain corporations such as Red Stripe Beer. This company in 2008 took a bold step by denouncing homophobic behavior and pulled sponsorship from those who violated the rights of GLBT.

It has been stated by a J-FLAG representative, “We believe that any overseas entity or organization seeking to agitate for change in a context with which it has only passing familiarity should first do its homework to ensure that it does not do harm ... to the cause of the local community whose interest it seeks to defend,” But it is believed by many from other countries, that if economy pressure is not enforced, this unjust and inhuman behavior will continue. The GLBT are not asking much from the Jamaican government. Their only demands are:

1.For Jamaican officials to publicly commit to the ending of gay bashing on the island and improving the human rights situation.

2.A statement from the Prime Minister clearly and unequivocally condemning violence against GLBT people and expressing regret for past violence.

As a heterosexual male I am just an outsider looking in. I can empathize with both sides of the GLBT movements. The non-Jamaicans see a horrible injustice that they wish to end. Were the Jamaican citizen believe these well intentioned acts are just adding fuel to the fire. I believe that homophobia is a horrible sickness if not treated will spread like any other disease. In my opinion wide scale boycotts are not always the answer because they also harm the innocent. Knowledge is the best weapon. I have known and love many Gays,Lesbians,and Bi-Sexual--now after learning of the horror being inflicted upon these people in Jamaica, until there is a change I will never set foot, or endorse this place in any way!


Sources:San Francisco Bay Times,New America Media,Jason McFarlane,J-FLAG,Camille Atkinson of Associated Content,Red Stripe Beer