It was a nightmare-inspiring crime: an individual with a history of antisocial behavior (and a fondness for Nazi regalia) walked into a Massachusetts gay bar and attacked the patrons with a hatchet and handgun, sending three men to the hospital, one with critical injuries. Time to play politics, boys and girls.
From NGLTF: Rhetoric
of religious right continues to fuel violence against lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender people. Excerpt:
Today's attack on men in New Bedford gay bar points to climate of hate created by right-wing obsession with homosexuality. ... The hatred and loathing fueling this morning's vicious attack on gay men in New Bedford is not innate, it is learned. And who is teaching it? Leaders of the so-called Christian right, that's who. ... The blood spilled this morning is on their hands.
I'd describe this rhetoric as, at best, hating the hater, or demagoguery for demagoguery-excerpt at least the religious rightists tend to make some distinction about loving the sinner but not the "sin."
As bad as Focus on the Family, the American Family Association, and the 700 Club are, they are not Nazi equivalents. Most Americans get this, and when gay groups suggest otherwise they simply discredit themselves.
From HRC: Anti-gay hate crime in Massachusetts is enraging reminder of need to pass law. I agree; walking into a bar and shooting people really ought to be against the law. Glad to hear that HRC is on the case.
Let's note a few things: the attack occurred in Barney Frank's district; in a state that has had state hate crimes statutes and gay anti-discrimination protections on the books for years; where the police and public authorities have reacted swiftly and, apparently, without laxity. So how would federalizing hate crime law have helped?
More: It's all over. And there
will be no hate crimes trial.