Anti-Gay Legislation = Anti-Gay Violence. Marriage Equality Activist Allegedly Beaten in San Diego County.
Studies have shown that anti-gay legislation increases anti-gay hate crimes, and data from Santa Clara County here in CA only supported the findings of those studies. Proposition 8 has decidedly increased animosity and hate crimes toward gay people. The latest victim was Ron de Harte, Executive Director of San Diego Pride.
…..
But one bit of footage unlikely to be vigorously referenced and touted by anti-gay pundits as proof positive of the violent tendencies of an entire demographic was taped in Lemon Grove, California. The video shows the tail end of a punching and kicking attack reportedly launched by a young man who allegedly assaulted a GLBT equality activist carrying a rainbow flag.The alleged assault continued for about a minute and a half, reports said. When the alleged assailant saw that a TV camera was recording the attack, he broke it off and fled, only to be apprehended later on, reported GLBT news site Wockner on June 8.
The victim in the June 6 attack was Ron de Harte, who serves as the executive director of San Diego Pride.
…..
deHarte described the kicks and blows he received, as well as the alleged assailant’s homophobic language. “He started whaling on me and tried to take the flag away and made it very clear he didn’t think I should be there: ’Get out of here. What do you think you’re doing? You need to get the fuck out of here.’”Apparently referring to the rainbow flag, the alleged assailant said, “’Get that out of here. There’s no place for you here.’”
…..
Added deHarte, “I got the side of his fist the first time he hit me, then I think he got my lower jaw on another time. He kicked me a few times.“I wasn’t bleeding or anything,” deHart added. “It certainly hurt. I certainly had soreness as the day went on, and this morning when I woke up, I realized my upper lip was swollen and the inside of my cheek was cut up.”
…..
Proposition 8, like all anti-gay legislation, has given the bigots validation for their hatred. They now consider it perfectly acceptable to attack us openly, even in full daylight. After all, “the people spoke” and declared us second-class citizens, and the Supreme Court upheld their voice. Why shouldn’t they put us in our places, by whatever means they deem necessary?
