Gay Bashings in Western Michigan

[bohonato]

Two weeks ago, over spring break, one of my professors was severely beaten by a group of twenty to twenty-five people. They broke his ribs and nose, and he was out for a week in the hospital. If you didn't guess, it was because he was gay.

I've always been a pacifist, and ultimately believe that non-violence can produce the most positive change in society. But I've been seriously questioning my beliefs. If you opponent already expects you to be non-violent, docile and weak (as you are stereotyped to be, with the aid of the media. Thank you, Queer Eye), what good does being non-violent do? You're only reinforcing the stereotype.

Why were the Stonewall Riots so shocking? Cause the police thought that the crowd would be too afraid to fight back and defend themselves, because they were gay. So, when the bricks started flying, the police didn't know what to do. I still feel repugnance for violence, but what else can you do when no one is listening?

I once heard that Gandhi said something along the lines of 'I would rather be violent and free than non-violent and enslaved.' I can not verify the quote, but nevertheless I can't help but to agree.

Am I willing to start throwing bricks through windows and molotov cocktails down the street? Maybe. Perhaps the threat of, and perhaps the hint of, violence is exactly what the gay movement needs. Or am I falling into the trap of anger, and yes, hate?

I woke up this morning
Turned to face the mirror
And looked disillusionment square in the eye

[Arcadia]

one against 25?!! that´s a masacre!!. Nobody has the right to broke your ribs and nose, if you cross with somebody with that intention: first, run!!!, then look for other people´s support and denuncialos. If you couldn´t run at time, do the other two things anyway.

[e_dog]

Sorry, i have to break my vow of silence for this thread.

Forget throwing bricks. Queers need to: Pack heat.

Perhaps, the gay comunity could learn a thing or two from the gun rights crowd, usually the two are at odds, b/c usually the gun rights people are conservative and the gays liberal, but maybe the liberals ought to supprt guns too.

A bunch of gaybashers, even in a mob, aren't going to want to attack gays if there is a risk that the would-be victim will blast your head off with a .44 magnum.

Gays need a self-defense league. They already have the outfits for it, at least the macho men with black leather and chains perhaps. Not just billy clubs, but bullets and shotguns. Shotguns aren't just for ambiguously gay marijuana smoking any longer.

Rainbow power against the pigs! Like the Black Panthers:

The Pink Panthers!!

yes, that's it!

[bohonato]

Arcadia - I couldn't agree more. 25 on 1 is probably one of the most cowardly things I've ever heard of.

e_dog - I'm honoured that you would choose to break your vow of silence for this.

A bunch of gaybashers, even in a mob, aren't going to want to attack gays if there is a risk that the would-be victim will blast your head off with a .44 magnum.

Exactly what I'm thinking. I'm totally at a lost to see where non-violence could do any good in that situation. And those macho men with leather and chains, some of them could take anyone on. Not to mention the bears, bikers, and chubbies. I wouldn't mess with any of them.

Strangely enough, there has been a violent, well, movement wouldn't exactly be the right word, but tradition in the gay community. Starting in the 40s/50's with straight baiting and straight bashings up to the radical politics of QueerNation and ACTUP. And the misconception of passive and weak gays continues. Society sees what it wants to.

Shotguns aren't just for ambiguously gay marijuana smoking any longer.
. . .
The Pink Panthers!!

For sure. I roll em myself.
I hate pink.

[Dave The Dov]

I hope they find those who beat up that professor and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law!!!! I wonder if those people were listening to well avowed homophobic musician Ted Nugent???? When ever I hear the start of one of his songs on the radio. I change the channel!!!! bohonato no because they don't hand out Nobel prizes for Violence!!!!
_________________
Mercedes 500

[e_dog]

The proof that the gay community is a bunch of sissies, for the most part, with a few exceptions I'll grant,

is that there is no phenomenon of straight bashing.

There needs to be revenge, or else a group will forever be repressed. Take women for example.

[stilltrucking]

yeah revenge
always a good idea
let the blood flow.

no thanks.

[e_dog]

like i said.

sissies.

[jimboloco]

there are no absolutes
no pacifist is absolute
and in everyone there is the paciifist

what we want is a sane rational world
seperating fact from fiction is a large part of the struggle towards a more sane world

first be sane
believe that everyone is an individual and needs respect
then act to be supportive of that baseline reference point

self-defense against rabid hatefullness is very important
in domestic terms, we have so much that goes on thst is hurtful and despairing, and is "under the radar" yet it goes on and on

our imperialist budget does not allow for thekinds of educational and judicial, peacekeeping policing, investments we need.

So we have to suffer, but are not helpless.

First we have insight into what is healthy and sane, people need people and will find others to share with, and to love.

what's wrong with that? nothing, period.

the rest is a tedious long term effort to deprogram conservative society
and struggle for greater social regogniton of what is truly "normal" interms of healty heal;ing relationships
and what is not,
bigotry, prejudice. knee jerk violence.

keep a zapper handy. or be ready to go for the eyes, throat, balls,
stay safe,
how did those guys get hold of the prof anyhow>
are they being prosecuted?