I'm a broken record: Oklahoma, always on the wrong side of history, and damned proud of it.
cowboyneok
· 2 months ago
I'm a firm believer that Oklahoma isn't the only state to drop the ball on hate crimes. Mind you, I'm not defending my state because it is one of the reddest states in the United States, but I think its important to note the federal hate crimes law would send a message nation wide, and that message absolutely NEEDS to be sent to not only Oklahoma, but Wyoming, Georgia and the rest of the United States...
Butch1
· 2 months ago
It's upsetting the indifference that many straights show against gay victims of hate crimes and bashings. It's like we deserve any treatment we get and that we have a choice to be straight anytime if we want to be. It's incredible people can still believe that way. Of course, the second you defend yourself and hurt the other person, they get the sympathy and you get the blame. In any event, I'm glad you made it through that in one piece and have been able to educate others about hate crimes from a personal stance.
cowboyneok
· 2 months ago
Thanks Butch! I was worried I would have permanent nerve damage from a broken orbital, but I recovered physically. The mental trauma, from an assault like that, is something that is equally difficult to overcome. Every time I opened up about it, or heard my partner discuss it, I would relive it and start experiencing a massive panic attack. I'm doing much better, years later, but I intimately understand Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. My faith that G-d has helped me use my experiences to help others gets me through when I've had to "process" this kind of thing. I'm not saying I believe "G-d got me beaten up," but rather I've tried to use my negative experiences to help others in similar circumstances by trying to fight to get Hate Crimes laws passed, etc. A lot of time I believe we are not only working for us, but especially for the next LGBT generation.
Butch1
· 2 months ago
That's understandable. These young adultsthat hate like this run in packs and that is usually the only way they feel brave enough to attack others. It's almost like a "right of passage" for them to do something as senseless as this.
I guess I was fortunate to grow up being a bit larger and because of sports, in good shape and when it came to bullies, I never backed down from any confrontation. I never went around looking for trouble but, I did see my share of fights. One thing is I don't ever remember people being as angry then as they are today. They actually mean to kill you or do as much damage as they can. This is not good and they don't think out the consequences of their actions. I'm much older now but, I wouldn't hesitate one second if someone were to attack me, to try and cause the most damage I could to stop a person from trying to harm me.(must be my Irish lineage and at my age one runs out of steam much faster than when young so you want to end it as fast as you can.) ;) I think gays and lesbians should make it a common rule to go study martial arts for defense purposes, it may save your life.
It is past time that the only group considered second-class and not worthy of protection are gays and lesbians. Denying us minority protection from these roving bands of cowards, allows them to think it is okay to bash us. I don't think a person ever gets over traumas like the one you experienced but, sharing this with others can be a good way to teach others that we don't deserve to be treated like this and perhaps, it will stop a potential basher from doing it and make them realize we are all human beings.
cowboyneok
· 2 months ago
Guess where the police located the perps after the attack?
Yep!!! THE GAY BAR! Which also leads credence to the whole homophobes are fighting their own gay feelings by "rolling queers."
You are right about sending a national message it will no longer be tolerated to attack us. The Talibangelicals don't want to admit they don't want that message sent, or to prevent physical attacks on us.
My ex-partner and I are both big men. It was THREE against one in both instances. They were just as big, and they went after him and then me when I tried to come to his rescue. I knew I was "in for it" but I didn't want them to kill Tony so I jumped on one of 'em's back and then it was all over for me.
Mike_in_the_Tundra
· 2 months ago
Actually, my assault is costing the government. After several attempts to repair the spinal damage, there was really nothing to do but to go on disability. After two years on disability, Medicare kicked in. I've used it a lot. You know, this scenario probably repeats itself all over the country. It would benefit the government to do anything that might prevent the crimes.
cowboyneok
· 2 months ago
It would also benefit the government to end DADT and allow gays and lesbians to openly serve rather than kicking two of us out per day under the current policy, huh? Amazing how anti-LGBT policies work against the government, huh?
You make an excellent point, Mike.
Carolyn Greenwood-Wagner
· 1 month ago
I was fortunate to met Tim last night at the victory celebrations at the community center in Tulsa. As a mother of an anti-gay hate crime victim and one who has worked for many years through many versions of such legislation, my emotions since last Thursday have been hard to contain. Mainly I did not believe we would live long enough to see this come to pass. I want any who read to know there is a group that has been around for many years that puts people personally impacted by bias motivated violence in touch with those newly impacted to help them with what they currently face. We all walked such paths and have now done so with hundreds of others in all 50 states and several nations. Website is at http://www.fuah.org. Blessings to all. A mother, Carolyn Wagner
All Comments
In any event, I'm glad you made it through that in one piece and have been able to educate others about hate crimes from a personal stance.
I guess I was fortunate to grow up being a bit larger and because of sports, in good shape and when it came to bullies, I never backed down from any confrontation. I never went around looking for trouble but, I did see my share of fights. One thing is I don't ever remember people being as angry then as they are today. They actually mean to kill you or do as much damage as they can. This is not good and they don't think out the consequences of their actions. I'm much older now but, I wouldn't hesitate one second if someone were to attack me, to try and cause the most damage I could to stop a person from trying to harm me.(must be my Irish lineage and at my age one runs out of steam much faster than when young so you want to end it as fast as you can.) ;) I think gays and lesbians should make it a common rule to go study martial arts for defense purposes, it may save your life.
It is past time that the only group considered second-class and not worthy of protection are gays and lesbians. Denying us minority protection from these roving bands of cowards, allows them to think it is okay to bash us. I don't think a person ever gets over traumas like the one you experienced but, sharing this with others can be a good way to teach others that we don't deserve to be treated like this and perhaps, it will stop a potential basher from doing it and make them realize we are all human beings.
Yep!!! THE GAY BAR! Which also leads credence to the whole homophobes are fighting their own gay feelings by "rolling queers."
You are right about sending a national message it will no longer be tolerated to attack us. The Talibangelicals don't want to admit they don't want that message sent, or to prevent physical attacks on us.
My ex-partner and I are both big men. It was THREE against one in both instances. They were just as big, and they went after him and then me when I tried to come to his rescue. I knew I was "in for it" but I didn't want them to kill Tony so I jumped on one of 'em's back and then it was all over for me.
You make an excellent point, Mike.
A mother,
Carolyn Wagner