Between 1990 and 1995, anti-gay violence rose 102 percent. During 1996, 2,429 episodes of anti-gay harassment and violence were reported in just 14 U.S. cities. While race, religion and gender are protected under Michigan's Intimidation Act, sexual orientation is not.
Monday night, the Ann Arbor City Council took a step to push Michigan toward including gays and lesbians in the Michigan Ethnic Intimidation Act. In a unanimous decision, the Council approved a resolution supporting a proposed amendment to the Intimidation Act. Proposed by Rep. Lynne Martinez (D-Lansing), the amendment would extend protection to gays and lesbians. The City Council should be applauded for its efforts to support this important amendment. Now the state legislature must act responsibly and pass the bill, assuring Michigan citizens the right to personal security.
It is important to realize the reality of hate crimes. While the numbers speak for themselves, it is easy for many to become blinded to the hatred that persists in society. Snide remarks, racial and sexual slurs and physical violence threaten everyone's personal security. Yet when the law fails to protect certain groups from these hideous hate crimes, their civil rights become legally trampled.
Members of the University community may also forget the reality of hate crimes toward gays and lesbians on campus. Simply because the University is seen as a "liberal and open" environment does not mean hate crimes do not exist. While most harassment goes unreported, its existence is nonetheless apparent.
Twenty states and the District of Columbia, as well as several cities - including Ann Arbor - have hate crime legislation that includes crimes based on sexual orientation. But take a step outside of Ann Arbor, and gays and lesbians rights become invisible.
On Nov. 10, 1997, President Clinton held the first White House Conference on Hate Crimes. The historic conference was hailed as a success by many gay rights' groups. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) President Nancy McDonald, praised Clinton for the conference claiming it "lends more credibility to the seriousness of anti-gay violence." The conference did bring hate crime issues to the forefront for a moment, but more must be done.
While the Conference on Hate Crimes certainly lends more credibility to anti-gay hate crimes, a conference alone does little to prevent the violence. Cities and states must work toward adopting legislation that will legally protect gays and lesbians from hate crimes. Michigan is now in a position to take this important step.
The amendment to Michigan's Ethnic Intimidation Act has support from many sides. Aside from the Ann Arbor City Council, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, the Prosecuting Attorney's Association and the Michigan Municipal League all support the amendment. To rally more support, state representatives' personal biases against gay rights must be placed on the back burner. Fighting hate crime is an issue that supports basic human rights - something everyone deserves.
Everyone must recognize the seriousness of hate crimes, especially of anti-gay violence. Lesbians and gays face the scary reality of hate crimes while lacking the necessary protection from city, state and federal governments. Michigan must adopt the proposed amendment to make the state a safe environment for all its citizens.
11-20-97
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