This is a follow up post from Kyle Flood (a recent victim of a bias motivated crime on Ball State's campus). It was originally posted with our friends over at Blue Indiana.
| Indiana is one of only a hand full of states in the country without some form of hate crime statute. Hate crime statute would provide enhanced sentencing for offenders who commit crimes because of a bias the person has towards the victim, such as race, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation. The absence of such laws put Hoosiers at risk. Nearly a year ago, Aaron Hall was murdered in rural Indiana because someone believed he was gay. In what some believe to be comparable to Matthew Shepard, it was one of the most gruesome murders based on sexual orientation. Although Aaron Hall was not gay, his attackers believed his was and that they were doing the world justice by disposing of someone who had less worth than their own.
Hate Crime legislation has been suggested in Indiana but nothing has made a serious advance toward making a real difference. Every time a bill is proposed, the Christian Right spreads lies that put Hoosiers into a panic for what could "hurt" the heterosexual majority. Instead of helping protect minorities the Right feel as if their way of life will be threatened by properly prosecuting those who break the law.
I bring this up because nearly two weeks ago I, along with a handful of others, was attacked in Muncie, Indiana based on sexual orientation. Within walking distance from Ball State University, two college-aged students attacked two students and I in what can only describe as a hate crime. |
|
| Sitting in the emergency room, I could only think of how ignorant our attackers were. These men thought they were doing themselves good by attacking us. Calling us faggots, throwing punches, and even putting a female in a chokehold must have provided a much-needed rush for their masculinity. We were not helpless victims, but we were no match to their attack. My wounds will heal. People will go about their lives as usual. Most will forget what happened that night. How long will we wait until this happens again? How many times will something like this need to occur before someone will realize it needs to be stopped? When will the Christian Right realize that they'd be better Christians by helping fellow human beings?
The support I've received from friends, family, and even complete strangers has been amazing; however, I don't want to stop now. I'm sharing my story because I think it is wrong that my attackers will not be prosecuted as they should. Do we need to wait for another Aaron Hall before Indiana thinks something needs to be done? If someone says: "I hate gays so much that I'm going to attack one," there is no reason that it should not be treated as a hate crime. A majority of states have hate crime legislation and it is time that Indiana stands up and joins the ranks.
We need to remember that this does not only harm the gay community. Hate crime legislation needs to protect all minorities. If someone jumps a person and calls them a "faggot" it is no different from attacking a person and calling them a "n*gger." The Christian Right could potentially protect themselves from being physically attacked based on religion.
Indiana is a great state. It is time to make it better by showing that all citizens matter. Yes, hate crimes do occur in our quiet neighborhoods. It is time to stop them by showing it will not be tolerated. It is my hope that out of this ordeal a sense of awareness is strengthened. I can only wish that my story will be used to pass legislation to protect the next victim and give future attackers the punishment that they deserve. This is something all Hoosiers need.
|
(Taken in Ball Memorial Hospital ER. Pictures from following days show a much blacker and swollen eye and face.)
Comments