Increasing hate crimes against homosexuals in CA schools | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)
I didn't like it (none / 0)
I'm all for gay rights and things, and it's bad that hate crimes go up, (I say this so nobody calls me a homophobe or a bigot) but I didn't like your reasoning, you jump to the conclusion that it happened only because of proposition eight just because crimes increased between 2007-8. I don't see why homophobes would resort to violence when they could simply vote it away, a more likely solution was that it was a reaction to the court's decision to allow gay marriage in California, especially considering prop 8 happened in the end of 2008 and the court decision was much earlier.
Secondly, you say it's like segregation or removing voting rights. False equivelancies like that convince nobody, as basic things like voting rights are nothing like demands to change the definition of marriage. While both groups struggle to be put on the same plane as the majority, the rights they are fighting for are absurdly different.

by nmaks on 03/19/2009 09:21:59 PM EST

You dont see why homophobes (none / 0)
would be all riled up by these giant gay rights demonstrations here?  You need to think it through a little more.

The definition of marriage as you put it specifically denies rights and privileges from a certain segment of society. That is un constitutional. Simple as that.


by Chinese Democracy on 03/19/2009 09:59:32 PM EST

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I think what Anna is trying to say is that (none / 0)
When the government passes laws like Prop-8, it gives validity to the prejudices in the minds of homophobic people. If they feel they are "within the law", then of course they're going to be more brazen about their disdain for homosexuals, because gays don' t have equal protection under the law. (Not allowing homosexuals to legally marry is denying their family units equal protection.) This translates to a type of respect. If the law is against a group of people, they don't deserve social respect, is what the government is saying by passing these type of laws. It's why not many people give a naked rat's ass about criminals.

by berkinix on 03/21/2009 05:07:17 AM EST

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Fisrt of all people give a rat's ass about hate (none / 0)
crimes. Secondly, you make an ok point, buyt do you honestly think there would be fewer hate crimes if prop eight failed and gays were still getting married?

by nmaks on 03/21/2009 08:23:20 AM EST

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Impossible (none / 0)

to show causation, but correlation yes. And there's a logical reason to believe there might be some degree of causation in *some* causes.

Hate crimes existed before (of course), and they would still exist with or without Prop 8. The question is does the quantity increase because of the vote, and it's possible the answer is yes.

 

 

by Tom Hanc on 03/21/2009 05:52:45 PM EST

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I think there was a bit of confusion (none / 0)
with that last sentence in my post. I don't mean that people don't care about hate crimes. I mean most people don't give a damn about the rights of criminals overall. Then again, that seems to be the case in Texas, at least. I don't know how compassionate other states are when it comes to the people they incarcerate.

As for believing if hate crimes towards homosexuals would dwindle or increase based solely on Prop-8, I think there are many factors, and it cannot be determined either way for a fact. But you have to understand that people who are suspicious of other minority groups will look to whatever authorities in their lives - be it religion, public perception (media) or actual laws - to justifiy their doubts, fear and hate.

Prop-8 is just giving homophobes another reason to believe they are right in distrusting or hating gay people. Because the law is always on the side of justice... right? What I'm getting at is simply this: of course the distrust, hatred and fear is already there, and hate crimes happen everywhere, everyday, before and now after Prop-8 passed. But now that gay people in California have less rights, the law is in effect implying that they are less equal, they are less human. Because they don't have the same rights, meaning they are not the same, they are less. This is what all civil rights movements have fought against, from MLK to Cesar Chavez to Women's Rights, and the Buddhist monks who protested peacefully in Vietnam (and other places too, I'm sure) for the right to practice their religion without discrimination. You have every right to believe that the passing of Prop-8 is not causing the rise of hate crimes against gays, but you can't deny the fact that it isn't helping the situation at all.

by berkinix on 03/22/2009 02:00:16 AM EST

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not the first time (none / 0)
In 1992 when colorado voted on (and passed) amendment 2 hate crimes increased 3x. It has happened whenever an area has such a vote, because ads hit television and radio dehumanizing gay people and presenting them as a threat to god and country and your very way of life. It's a simple cause and effect

by diguardi on 03/22/2009 04:24:19 PM EST

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Increasing hate crimes against homosexuals in CA schools | 10 comments (10 topical, 0 hidden)