Homophobia Rampant

The news is always filled with disturbing examples of the hatred instigated and perpetuated by those whom believe that Gays and Lesbians are less than human. The latest example comes from Tucson, Arizona where 27 year old Melissa Arrington has been sentenced to ten and one half years imprisonment for a negligent homicide charge. Arrington, driving under the influence of alcohol, ran over and killed a Frenchman, L'Ecuyer, 45, a cyclist on December 1, 2006. The judge in the case had the leeway to limit incarceration to as little as four years. However, it was a monitored telephone conversation from jail which prompted the almost maximum sentence.

Arrington was recorded, a week after the death, laughing that she had done the world a service by killing a "tree hugger, a bicyclist, a Frenchman and a gay guy all in one shot."

Superior Court Judge Michael Cruikshank said the statement was "breathtaking in its inhumanity" and that the callousness and lack of remorse deserved to be taken into account in sentencing. 

The only problem is that Arrington is only one of millions whom believe that L'Ecuyer's murder is somehow, if not justified, certainly of no consequence. Where do these people garner such attitudes towards other human beings? We know at least in part they are fostered by our own Churches. The Vatican's statement that Gays and Lesbians are "intrinsically evil" must be viewed as a legitimate source of deliberate homophobia, a real attempt to influence millions of faithful that those of us whom are born homosexual are of lesser value, of NO merit, and only a source of corruption in the world.

They are also reflected in much of our media; Heath Ledger's death being exploited by Fox News', John Gibson, as a source of amusement - and Mr. Ledger only played a Gay man. Gibson remarked: "Well, he found out how to quit you." 

( www.afterelton.com/bgwe/1-25-08 )

I wish we could find a way to quit homophobia.