Busy Bullies.
“Vandals spray-painted anti-gay slurs on three [Wilton Manors, Florida] homes and a car early this morning, police say. The incidents, which occurred in 2800 block of Northwest Seventh Avenue, are being investigated as a hate crime, police spokesman David Jones said. He said this is the first time this kind of vandalism has happened in the area and it appears to be random. The words words “gay” and “fag” were painted on the adjacent houses and a car. Three other cars were streaked with spray paint.” That’s wack.[Sun-Sentinel]
Is it a hate crime if it’s random?
Has there been an increase in this type of activity (attacks against gays), or are they just being reported more often? Hate really seems to be on the upswing in America. I’ve been told there is a relationship between a failing economy and attacks against minorities. Wilton Manors use to be a gay enclave, is it still?
Darth Paul – I don’t know where you hail from but Wilton Manors is a predominantly gay city that may still be one of the few places on Earth to have a gay mayor and city council. Vandalism with gay overtones there could never be random.
Bob R – I don’t know if it’s on the upswing or not (being quite limited in years) but I know that from what I’ve discussed with some of the faculty at my school things have changed in that particular sector. Around 10 years ago there was a gay couple who had the support of the majority of the school (albeit a Catholic school). Nowadays I’m barely out and have already had my car graffitied and death threats…Perhaps the hard times are to blame.