Comments on: Can Oklahoma Write a New Law That Lets It Escape the Matthew Shepard Act? http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/ Free of an agenda. Except that gay one. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 07:48:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: AndrewW http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-253852 AndrewW Mon, 04 Jan 2010 17:00:33 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-253852 Queerty said: <i> "... it was the first time the federal government recognized LGBTs as a specific class of people — and dubbed them worthy of protecting. "<i> Being defined as a "special class" or a "protected class" is NOT a victory. It only makes it more difficult for us to be EQUAL. The Hate Crimes Bill is NOT "protection," either. It doesn't come with any protections - it is only about punishing bad behavior. We won't be EQUAL until our fellow citizens believe we are - laws do <i>nothing</i> to change minds. Queerty said:

“… it was the first time the federal government recognized LGBTs as a specific class of people — and dubbed them worthy of protecting. “

Being defined as a “special class” or a “protected class” is NOT a victory. It only makes it more difficult for us to be EQUAL.

The Hate Crimes Bill is NOT “protection,” either. It doesn’t come with any protections – it is only about punishing bad behavior.

We won’t be EQUAL until our fellow citizens believe we are – laws do nothing to change minds.

]]> By: Ctprep http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-253751 Ctprep Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:40:46 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-253751 No worries, state law does not trump Federal law. If it even passed, it would be struck down by every Federal court in the country. No worries, state law does not trump Federal law. If it even passed, it would be struck down by every Federal court in the country.

]]> By: Jacob http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-253227 Jacob Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:46:24 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-253227 OMG i cant believe the length these people would go in order to prevent the saftey of LGBT people. So much hate and they call themselves religious. OMG i cant believe the length these people would go in order to prevent the saftey of LGBT people. So much hate and they call themselves religious.

]]> By: Markus http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-253211 Markus Fri, 01 Jan 2010 17:03:05 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-253211 Unbelievable what HATE will do (or try to do)! Unbelievable what HATE will do (or try to do)!

]]> By: tom http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-253191 tom Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:01:27 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-253191 Of course we all know you can't refuse to turn over evidence on a federal investigation without risking arrest. Also, many police agencies and other related agencies receive federal funding. Something like this would place those funds at risk as well. Of course we all know you can’t refuse to turn over evidence on a federal investigation without risking arrest.
Also, many police agencies and other related agencies receive federal funding. Something like this would place those funds at risk as well.

]]> By: FakeName http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-253133 FakeName Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:15:21 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-253133 To be pedantic, the Matthew Shepard Act was not "the first time the federal government recognized LGBTs as a specific class of people." The Hate Crimes Statistics Act, passed in 1990, includes sexual orientation as a category for which bias crime data must be collected by the federal government. It is true that the Act offers no penalty enhancements for anti-gay (or any other) bias crime but it has been on the books for almost two decades. To be pedantic, the Matthew Shepard Act was not “the first time the federal government recognized LGBTs as a specific class of people.” The Hate Crimes Statistics Act, passed in 1990, includes sexual orientation as a category for which bias crime data must be collected by the federal government. It is true that the Act offers no penalty enhancements for anti-gay (or any other) bias crime but it has been on the books for almost two decades.

]]> By: Steph http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-253115 Steph Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:55:25 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-253115 Gays, heretics, witches, communists, feminists and even terrorists are becoming passe these days. It's those who are shoehorned into the "sexual predators" list who are currently the ones who may be publicly hated and discriminated against. Gays, heretics, witches, communists, feminists and even terrorists are becoming passe these days. It’s those who are shoehorned into the “sexual predators” list who are currently the ones who may be publicly hated and discriminated against.

]]> By: RC http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-253095 RC Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:09:22 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-253095 Uh, does this eerily remind anyone else of the Nullification Crisis of 1832? South Carolina tried nullifying federal laws and they basically got the pulp beaten out of them... Sorry, Oklahoma, there's already a precedent. Uh, does this eerily remind anyone else of the Nullification Crisis of 1832?
South Carolina tried nullifying federal laws and they basically got the pulp beaten out of them…
Sorry, Oklahoma, there’s already a precedent.

]]> By: Lukas P. http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252988 Lukas P. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:53:02 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252988 Sure, "B." (#13) your ideas are rational but I'm sticking to my lack of lube theory! In all seriousness, he is clearly trying to make a name for himself. Or clear his name, his conscience, or his path to being a REAL senator. Verily, there's so much to look forward to in Oklahoma---from afar, of course. Sure, “B.” (#13) your ideas are rational but I’m sticking to my lack of lube theory!

In all seriousness, he is clearly trying to make a name for himself. Or clear his name, his conscience, or his path to being a REAL senator. Verily, there’s so much to look forward to in Oklahoma—from afar, of course.

]]> By: B http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252981 B Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:40:19 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252981 In No. 7, Lukas P. wrote, "Is State Sen Russell trying to make Oklahoma look bad, or does he just have too much time and not enough lube?" Most likely (unless he really is a true idiot), he knows that state law cannot override federal law, and even if something passes it will have no effect. So, he's probably just pandering to an extremely conservative district or trying to get more name recognition. If he's a closet case and thinks a sex partner is about to spill the beans, he could be setting himself up to use a "they're out to get me because of the legislation I introduced and will say anything" ploy - sort of a variation on the "accuse the opposition of what you are doing so it looks like they are playing 'tit for tat' when they expose you" trick. In No. 7, Lukas P. wrote, “Is State Sen Russell trying to make Oklahoma look bad, or does he just have too much time and not enough lube?”

Most likely (unless he really is a true idiot), he knows that state law cannot override federal law, and even if something passes it will have no effect. So, he’s probably just pandering to an extremely conservative district or trying to get more name recognition.

If he’s a closet case and thinks a sex partner is about to spill the beans, he could be setting himself up to use a “they’re out to get me because of the legislation I introduced and will say anything” ploy – sort of a variation on the “accuse the opposition of what you are doing so it looks like they are playing ‘tit for tat’ when they expose you” trick.

]]> By: terrwill http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252911 terrwill Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:11:50 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252911 >>>> Problem boils down to this: The Gays are the last accepted group who one can get away with hating in a public way. You can't say anything negative about Women, Blacks, Hispanics, Jews, or even muslims without being "PC incorrect" (not that the nutbag lunatics don't still hate all those groups still) Substitute any of those tags for the word "Gay" in any negative story about Gays and the person or group uttering those words would be crucified......... >>>> Problem boils down to this: The Gays are the last
accepted group who one can get away with hating in a public
way. You can’t say anything negative about Women, Blacks,
Hispanics, Jews, or even muslims without being “PC incorrect”
(not that the nutbag lunatics don’t still hate all those
groups still) Substitute any of those tags for the word
“Gay” in any negative story about Gays and the person or
group uttering those words would be crucified………

]]> By: AlwaysGay http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252899 AlwaysGay Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:49:33 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252899 Another example of the pervasive prejudice against gay people in the legal system. Everytime I question the haterosexual police gay people write that I'm out of touch. No, I'm in touch with reality. As a Queerty article a couple days ago pointed out in a poll 88% of haterosexuals in America were willing to say homosexuality is wrong. I'm sure the number is even higher because some are unwilling to show their prejudice. Those prejudices seep into everything and it affect gay people in real ways like haterosexual police inaction when a gay person is hurt or haterosexual criminals getting light sentences after committing crimes against gay people. Another example of the pervasive prejudice against gay people in the legal system. Everytime I question the haterosexual police gay people write that I’m out of touch. No, I’m in touch with reality. As a Queerty article a couple days ago pointed out in a poll 88% of haterosexuals in America were willing to say homosexuality is wrong. I’m sure the number is even higher because some are unwilling to show their prejudice. Those prejudices seep into everything and it affect gay people in real ways like haterosexual police inaction when a gay person is hurt or haterosexual criminals getting light sentences after committing crimes against gay people.

]]> By: Jill http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252898 Jill Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:48:31 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252898 I will be sending him a nice message. I will be sending him a nice message.

]]> By: Mikey S http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252894 Mikey S Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:42:27 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252894 NVM. Found it. His website is a mess: russell@oksenate.gov NVM. Found it. His website is a mess: russell@oksenate.gov

]]> By: Mikey S http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252892 Mikey S Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:40:53 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252892 Anyone have contact information for this jerk? Anyone have contact information for this jerk?

]]> By: Lukas P. http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252884 Lukas P. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:24:39 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252884 Is State Sen Russell trying to make Oklahoma look bad, or does he just have too much time and not enough lube? Is State Sen Russell trying to make Oklahoma look bad, or does he just have too much time and not enough lube?

]]> By: Same Crap http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252880 Same Crap Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:17:28 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252880 Well, I should say, they can write and pass the law, but it won't be enforceable because it will be superseded by federal law. Well, I should say, they can write and pass the law, but it won’t be enforceable because it will be superseded by federal law.

]]> By: blake http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252873 blake Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:06:49 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252873 This is yet another reason why I am moving out of this shit hole state This is yet another reason why I am moving out of this shit hole state

]]> By: Mathew http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252871 Mathew Thu, 31 Dec 2009 16:00:58 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252871 I call on a nationwide boycott on Oklahoma should this pass. I call on a nationwide boycott on Oklahoma should this pass.

]]> By: terrwill http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252869 terrwill Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:57:57 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252869 I usually don't wish bad things on homophope's family members, however I wouldn't shed a single tear if one of his 5 kids were tortured for hours, beaten to a pulp and then crucified on a fence. Because this is nothing more than a fuck you to Judy Shepard, her husband, and Matt's brother............................. >> One statement which has haunted me for years was that one of the ER Nurses who cared for Matt said that upon his being brought into the ER his entire face was caked with blood and dirt. The only part of his face not, was where his tears had rolled down his face...................... I usually don’t wish bad things on homophope’s family
members, however I wouldn’t shed a single tear if one
of his 5 kids were tortured for hours, beaten to a pulp
and then crucified on a fence. Because this is nothing more
than a fuck you to Judy Shepard, her husband, and Matt’s
brother………………………..

>> One statement which has haunted me for years was that one
of the ER Nurses who cared for Matt said that upon his
being brought into the ER his entire face was caked with
blood and dirt. The only part of his face not, was where
his tears had rolled down his face………………….

]]> By: Same Crap http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252867 Same Crap Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:52:12 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252867 No, they can't. Supremacy Clause. No, they can’t. Supremacy Clause.

]]> By: ChrisM http://www.queerty.com/can-oklahoma-write-a-new-law-that-lets-it-escape-the-matthew-shepard-act-20091231/#comment-252861 ChrisM Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:46:17 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/?p=78889#comment-252861 What a fucking asshole. Do people really not see how sick these homophobes are? What a fucking asshole. Do people really not see how sick these homophobes are?

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