Comments on: Ellen Remembers Lawrence King, Raises Questions http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/ Free of an agenda. Except that gay one. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 08:56:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jess http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-44959 jess Mon, 17 Mar 2008 00:34:15 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-44959 yeah, number 21, your a moron. Okay, maybe he shouldnt have asked a straight male to be his valentine, but shooting him DOES NOT justify it. And, I'm not justifying why those other reports weren't as huge as Lawrence King, but he was ONLY in 8th grade. That's kind of major. That's barely puberty. And, if I remember correctly, I'm pretty sure Lawrence sometimes wore "girly" clothing items, as did the others. So, you can't say they weren't major because of that reason. All in all, all these hate crimes, need to be stopped. Gay is not a choice. You don't choose who you love. If gay was so wrong, god would not have created it. Life is God's most precious gift. Who are we to take that away from ANYONE? yeah, number 21, your a moron. Okay, maybe he shouldnt have asked a straight male to be his valentine, but shooting him DOES NOT justify it.

And, I’m not justifying why those other reports weren’t as huge as Lawrence King, but he was ONLY in 8th grade. That’s kind of major. That’s barely puberty.

And, if I remember correctly, I’m pretty sure Lawrence sometimes wore “girly” clothing items, as did the others. So, you can’t say they weren’t major because of that reason.

All in all, all these hate crimes, need to be stopped. Gay is not a choice. You don’t choose who you love. If gay was so wrong, god would not have created it. Life is God’s most precious gift. Who are we to take that away from ANYONE?

]]> By: James http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42895 James Mon, 03 Mar 2008 22:51:34 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42895 I need to agree with Fredo here. Making Simmons' death somehow "less tragic" is why the talk about "gay community" is just that. A whole lot of useless talk. Fredo is also correct to call Jerry out for his crappy reasoning. I need to agree with Fredo here. Making Simmons’ death somehow “less tragic” is why the talk about “gay community” is just that. A whole lot of useless talk.

Fredo is also correct to call Jerry out for his crappy reasoning.

]]> By: fredo777 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42823 fredo777 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 17:11:22 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42823 #21 Jerry "He deserved to be shot..." You're a moron. #21 Jerry

“He deserved to be shot…”

You’re a moron.

]]> By: Jerry http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42781 Jerry Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:58:13 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42781 While tragic and unfortunate the loss of life is...everyone has to understand that unfortunately we don't live in a world where a gay male can easily walk up to another straight male and ask him to be his Valentine...or didn't the Jenny Jones incident prove that already? We don't live in that world, and I am not asking straight men to live in that world, nor straight women. I have absolutely no problem with homosexuality, but an invisible line has been drawn in the sand. He deserved to be shot based off of a stupid assumption...just the same as I would if I were in a similar predicament. You can call me a homophobe, gay-bashing nut job all you want, but those are the facts. Hell you can even pull the "he is a closet case" rhetoric all day, but you can't beat the facts. Racism is the oldest form of hatred there is, and it ain't going no where...coupled with homophobia...you better start buying bulletproof helmets if you want to take a risk. While tragic and unfortunate the loss of life is…everyone has to understand that unfortunately we don’t live in a world where a gay male can easily walk up to another straight male and ask him to be his Valentine…or didn’t the Jenny Jones incident prove that already? We don’t live in that world, and I am not asking straight men to live in that world, nor straight women. I have absolutely no problem with homosexuality, but an invisible line has been drawn in the sand. He deserved to be shot based off of a stupid assumption…just the same as I would if I were in a similar predicament. You can call me a homophobe, gay-bashing nut job all you want, but those are the facts. Hell you can even pull the “he is a closet case” rhetoric all day, but you can’t beat the facts. Racism is the oldest form of hatred there is, and it ain’t going no where…coupled with homophobia…you better start buying bulletproof helmets if you want to take a risk.

]]> By: fredo777 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42759 fredo777 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 02:04:30 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42759 It irritates me when people try to make it seem like Simmie's murder was any less horrible b/c of his age and lifestyle. As a matter of fact, it downright pisses me off b/c it comes across as judgmental. Hate crimes are hate crimes, regardless of age, race, lifestyle, setting, or anything else. We should be just as outraged by one as the other, not making allusions to one victim leading a less "palatable" life. Wake up to how ridiculous that is. It irritates me when people try to make it seem like Simmie’s murder was any less horrible b/c of his age and lifestyle. As a matter of fact, it downright pisses me off b/c it comes across as judgmental. Hate crimes are hate crimes, regardless of age, race, lifestyle, setting, or anything else. We should be just as outraged by one as the other, not making allusions to one victim leading a less “palatable” life.

Wake up to how ridiculous that is.

]]> By: MILLER http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42747 MILLER Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:07:47 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42747 One more brief comment: The Adolphus Simmons murder makes me very SAD. The Lawrence King murder makes me very MAD and angry! Thank's! One more brief comment: The Adolphus Simmons murder makes me very SAD. The Lawrence King murder makes me very MAD and angry! Thank’s!

]]> By: Tom http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42745 Tom Sun, 02 Mar 2008 20:18:30 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42745 Adolphus Simmons is the victim of a racist and homophobic media and society. The Charleston media, particularly the Post & Courier, have buried their heads in the sand on this one. The Post & Courier alluded to the victim's gender identity/sexual orientation, in passing, but it was left at that. No evidence of a hate crime, the North Charleston police said. Publicly, folks point to the kid being in the wrong place at the wrong time (bad neighborhood), gang initiation, but no one wants to talk about a hate crime. Hell, South Carolina doesn't even have an anti-hate crime law. Queer kids like Adolphus don't exist in the eyes of society and the media. Adolphus Simmons is the victim of a racist and homophobic media and society. The Charleston media, particularly the Post & Courier, have buried their heads in the sand on this one. The Post & Courier alluded to the victim’s gender identity/sexual orientation, in passing, but it was left at that. No evidence of a hate crime, the North Charleston police said. Publicly, folks point to the kid being in the wrong place at the wrong time (bad neighborhood), gang initiation, but no one wants to talk about a hate crime. Hell, South Carolina doesn’t even have an anti-hate crime law. Queer kids like Adolphus don’t exist in the eyes of society and the media.

]]> By: dbb http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42739 dbb Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:59:36 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42739 I will stand corrected I went back and HRC did have another link on transgendered hate crimes so I will correct myself on that issues. However I still beleive they have a long way to go on these and other issues. I will stand corrected I went back and HRC did have another link on transgendered hate crimes so I will correct myself on that issues. However I still beleive they have a long way to go on these and other issues.

]]> By: dbb http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42738 dbb Sun, 02 Mar 2008 17:55:49 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42738 What amazes me is the lake of outrage by our leading lobbying organization, HRC. I just checked their web page to see what they said I was shocked that none of these crimes were even mention outright on their first page, instead they had a "back story" with a link about Ellen speaking out against hate. This angers me because they seem to have tried to dare I say "white washed" these items. HRC threw our transgendered community to to the floor when will we wake up and throw them to the floor and put our gay dollars to groups that actually do something about these kind of crimes and issues. What amazes me is the lake of outrage by our leading lobbying organization, HRC. I just checked their web page to see what they said I was shocked that none of these crimes were even mention outright on their first page, instead they had a “back story” with a link about Ellen speaking out against hate. This angers me because they seem to have tried to dare I say “white washed” these items. HRC threw our transgendered community to to the floor when will we wake up and throw them to the floor and put our gay dollars to groups that actually do something about these kind of crimes and issues.

]]> By: June23 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42705 June23 Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:03:24 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42705 Perfectly said, Ellen. Thank you. Perfectly said, Ellen. Thank you.

]]> By: MILLER http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42688 MILLER Sun, 02 Mar 2008 01:30:09 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42688 While both of these hate crimes are horrendous acts of evil and violence, please do not bring race into this issue. Until today; I knew about neither murder (thank you TIVO)! But there is a big difference between an 18 year old (technically an adult) cross dresser (white black brown red or yellow) and a 15 year old CHILD being murdered by a 14 year old in a JUNIOR HIGH Computer Lab. Thank you Ellen for talking this and informing us on your show. MILLER While both of these hate crimes are horrendous acts of evil and violence, please do not bring race into this issue. Until today; I knew about neither murder (thank you TIVO)! But there is a big difference between an 18 year old (technically an adult) cross dresser (white black brown red or yellow) and a 15 year old CHILD being murdered by a 14 year old in a JUNIOR HIGH Computer Lab. Thank you Ellen for talking this and informing us on your show.

MILLER

]]> By: Jackie http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42679 Jackie Sat, 01 Mar 2008 22:49:07 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42679 Honestly, I don't think ANY of these stories have been reported enough, especially Simmie Williams and Adolphus Simmons. While Lawrence King's murder has been more publicized, it has hardly been in the spotlight. Bravo to Ellen for showing America that hate should not be tolerated on ANY level. Honestly, I don’t think ANY of these stories have been reported enough, especially Simmie Williams and Adolphus Simmons. While Lawrence King’s murder has been more publicized, it has hardly been in the spotlight.

Bravo to Ellen for showing America that hate should not be tolerated on ANY level.

]]> By: SeaFlood http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42616 SeaFlood Sat, 01 Mar 2008 06:25:44 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42616 David Wylie, In case you haven't noticed, we are divided and IGNORING race (indeed, it is racist to even speak of a "race card") is not going to create a united gay people. In fact, I believe positions like yours create division. Of COURSE it's race -- I didn't even hear about the murder that took place in SC until I read it here! The same thing happened when Matthew Shepard died, too. You are creating second-class citizens in the GBLT community by NOT addressing or acknowledging race. And it saddens me, greatly, that you are an editor of a paper somewhere with all that power to back up your racism... Asking why did this teen get attention while that one did not isn't "bickering" -- it is asking us to be aware of inequalities. Not merely within our communities as GBLTQQISGLF people, but within heterosexist recognition of us since most media is filtered through white heterosexist lens. And let's NOT forget transphobic. It is 2008 and the media is still concerned with producing a "clean" body -- someone beyond reproach, someone homophobes can't say, someone homo-homophobes can't say "deserved what they got." Amazing. David Wylie,

In case you haven’t noticed, we are divided and IGNORING race (indeed, it is racist to even speak of a “race card”) is not going to create a united gay people.

In fact, I believe positions like yours create division. Of COURSE it’s race — I didn’t even hear about the murder that took place in SC until I read it here! The same thing happened when Matthew Shepard died, too. You are creating second-class citizens in the GBLT community by NOT addressing or acknowledging race. And it saddens me, greatly, that you are an editor of a paper somewhere with all that power to back up your racism…

Asking why did this teen get attention while that one did not isn’t “bickering” — it is asking us to be aware of inequalities. Not merely within our communities as GBLTQQISGLF people, but within heterosexist recognition of us since most media is filtered through white heterosexist lens. And let’s NOT forget transphobic.

It is 2008 and the media is still concerned with producing a “clean” body — someone beyond reproach, someone homophobes can’t say, someone homo-homophobes can’t say “deserved what they got.”

Amazing.

]]> By: katrina http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42586 katrina Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:18:46 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42586 ellen spoke good for her ellen spoke good for her

]]> By: katrina http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42584 katrina Sat, 01 Mar 2008 00:18:10 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42584 amen ellen amen ellen

]]> By: David L. Wylie http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42535 David L. Wylie Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:57:00 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42535 Our follow up article on Simmie's vigil yesterday is now up on our home page... www.gaysofla.com regards, david Our follow up article on Simmie’s vigil yesterday is now up on our home page…
http://www.gaysofla.com

regards,
david

]]> By: James http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42518 James Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:21:53 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42518 Ninebone, According to that logic some of our gay youth are more equal than others. The death of any child is tragic. Ninebone,

According to that logic some of our gay youth are more equal than others. The death of any child is tragic.

]]> By: ninebone http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42515 ninebone Fri, 29 Feb 2008 19:09:02 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42515 Why does one gay teen murder get national attention while others don't? Based upon what you have reported here it is location, motive and apprehension of perpetrator(s). Lawrence King - public junior high school during school hours - fear of public humiliation by gay person? [my words] - fellow school mate Brandon. Simmie Williams, Jr. - street corner at night - words exchanged - assailant(s)unknown. Adolphus Simmons - sidewalk outside of home at night - assailant(s) unknown. Looking at these bare facts and without any pictures, which one grabs your attention? I am not trying to downplay the tragedy of their deaths, but until more facts are known and made public, the deaths of Simmie Williams, Jr. and Adolphus Simmons only affect their immediate families, friends and communities. Lawrence King, a gay young boy, expressed his 'love' for another young boy. That young boy spurned his love by shooting him down. So which story strikes more fear in your heart? A drive by shooting or your desired person of affection rejecting you by shooting you down? Why does one gay teen murder get national attention while others don’t? Based upon what you have reported here it is location, motive and apprehension of perpetrator(s).
Lawrence King – public junior high school during school hours – fear of public humiliation by gay person? [my words] – fellow school mate Brandon.
Simmie Williams, Jr. – street corner at night – words exchanged – assailant(s)unknown.
Adolphus Simmons – sidewalk outside of home at night – assailant(s) unknown.
Looking at these bare facts and without any pictures, which one grabs your attention?
I am not trying to downplay the tragedy of their deaths, but until more facts are known and made public, the deaths of Simmie Williams, Jr. and Adolphus Simmons only affect their immediate families, friends and communities.
Lawrence King, a gay young boy, expressed his ‘love’ for another young boy. That young boy spurned his love by shooting him down.
So which story strikes more fear in your heart? A drive by shooting or your desired person of affection rejecting you by shooting you down?

]]> By: jerekeys http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42490 jerekeys Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:28:37 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42490 I'm sure racism and transphobia (cisgenderism) play a part in why some anti-queer violence gets more attention than others, but let's look at other differences: age and location. King was 15 and was shot at his junior high school. Williams was 17 and shot at night on a street corner known as a hangout for sex workers. Both crimes are horrible, but I'm not surprised that middle America responds more strongly to the story about a child murdered in a public school. Sending children to junior high is something more people can relate to (i.e. King could be my son/daughter) than an almost-adult who is going out in the middle of the night and leading a hidden double life. I’m sure racism and transphobia (cisgenderism) play a part in why some anti-queer violence gets more attention than others, but let’s look at other differences: age and location. King was 15 and was shot at his junior high school. Williams was 17 and shot at night on a street corner known as a hangout for sex workers.

Both crimes are horrible, but I’m not surprised that middle America responds more strongly to the story about a child murdered in a public school. Sending children to junior high is something more people can relate to (i.e. King could be my son/daughter) than an almost-adult who is going out in the middle of the night and leading a hidden double life.

]]> By: Alexa http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42474 Alexa Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:39:55 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42474 Being cute and innocent makes you a more compelling victim, it happens all the time. Think of the attention paid to cute blonde girls like Natalie Holloway compared to the countless minority women and girls who go missing or are murdered. It's shameful, but normal. I'm just happy people are taking notice, period. And maybe all the attention will make people focus more on the entire problem of hate crimes. Being cute and innocent makes you a more compelling victim, it happens all the time. Think of the attention paid to cute blonde girls like Natalie Holloway compared to the countless minority women and girls who go missing or are murdered. It’s shameful, but normal. I’m just happy people are taking notice, period. And maybe all the attention will make people focus more on the entire problem of hate crimes.

]]> By: Dave http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42467 Dave Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:09:08 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42467 AMEN Ellen! She spoke beautifully and eloquently. AMEN Ellen! She spoke beautifully and eloquently.

]]> By: Woof http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42454 Woof Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:44:03 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42454 Here here Ellen. Here here Ellen.

]]> By: David L. Wylie http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42450 David L. Wylie Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:35:44 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42450 Simmie Williams Jr.'s killing took place just a week ago. Lawrence King's killing took place over two weeks ago. It took the mainstream media and the presidential candidates over two weeks to respond the Lawrence's killing. I'm sure the setting of each murder may play a part in the way the stories are covered but I can assure you, the media outlets (Television & print) in south Florida are covering this story. I attended a rally at the place Williams was murdered yesterday and met with his mom. We had a story posted at gaysofla.com the day after the murder happened. Please don't play the race card which only serves to divide the LGBT along ethnic lines. We’re divided enough! The local LGBT community has mobilized quickly, raising money for funeral expenses and bumping the reward for capture of the murderer to over $10,000. Let's instead focus on fighting all hate crimes....let's work together to get anti gay hate crime legislation passed. Let's not bicker over who got the most press attention. For those interested, we'll have comprehensive coverage of yesterday's rally, along with a photo gallery of the event, posted later today. And tonight we'll hold a candlelight vigil in Miami Beach to remember both of these boys. Regards & Respect, David L. Wylie Senior Editor www.gaysofla.com Simmie Williams Jr.’s killing took place just a week ago. Lawrence King’s killing took place over two weeks ago. It took the mainstream media and the presidential candidates over two weeks to respond the Lawrence’s killing.

I’m sure the setting of each murder may play a part in the way the stories are covered but I can assure you, the media outlets (Television & print) in south Florida are covering this story.

I attended a rally at the place Williams was murdered yesterday and met with his mom. We had a story posted at gaysofla.com the day after the murder happened.

Please don’t play the race card which only serves to divide the LGBT along ethnic lines. We’re divided enough!

The local LGBT community has mobilized quickly, raising money for funeral expenses and bumping the reward for capture of the murderer to over $10,000. Let’s instead focus on fighting all hate crimes….let’s work together to get anti gay hate crime legislation passed. Let’s not bicker over who got the most press attention.

For those interested, we’ll have comprehensive coverage of yesterday’s rally, along with a photo gallery of the event, posted later today. And tonight we’ll hold a candlelight vigil in Miami Beach to remember both of these boys.

Regards & Respect,
David L. Wylie
Senior Editor
http://www.gaysofla.com

]]> By: BillieXX http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42446 BillieXX Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:13:41 +0000 http://www.queerty.com/ellen-remembers-lawrence-king-raises-questions-20080229/#comment-42446 Because gay victims, when they are black, do not count in the mainstream media and gay press. Because gay victims, when they are black, do not count in the mainstream media and gay press.

]]>