Blood On Our Hands

by PHIL MARTIN

G21 Staff Writer

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COLUMBUS, OHIO - I'm sorry, but I just can't get Matthew Shepard out of my mind. He was the 21 year old gay college student in Wyoming who was beaten, taken to an abandoned road, tied to a fence, had his skull bashed in with a rifle, and left to die in sub-freezing temperatures.

And every time I think of him and what he endured...I get angry. Because the blood of Matthew Shepard is not just on the hands of the two men who committed the heinous crime. His blood is on a lot of people.

I am angry at the self-sanctimonious religious leaders in this country who preach that gay people are not worthy of being alive. They don't say it that blatantly. Instead they have cute little phrases like "Love the sinner, but hate the sin." Notice, however, that the word "hate" is part of their mantra. Or they preach that God is going to kill gay people by sending hurricanes, fires and AIDS. So how shocked can these religious hypocrites be when someone in their congregation decides to help God out? Are you listening Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and a plentitude of local pastors? The blood of Matthew Shepard is on your hands.

And I am angry at those gutless wonders that we call national politicians. Half of them are so busy kissing the radical right's butt that they can no longer see reality, while the other half have no spine and are scared of going to the bathroom without an opinion poll. Don't they realize that people are hurt by their inaction? After all, who would be hurt by passing a nondiscrimination law that includes gay and lesbian people? Nobody! But plenty of people are hurt by not doing it. Because you send the message that gay people should not be treated equally. Are you listening Senators, Representatives, and Bill Clinton? The blood of Matthew Shepard is on your hands.

And I am angry at local politicians. They frequently say that "the time isn't right" to talk about gay issues. But the time always seems to be right for them to take gay money for their reelection campaigns! Why don't more states have nondiscrimination laws? Why don't more states have hate crime laws that include gay and lesbian people? Why don't more cities offer domestic partnership benefits? Your inaction sends the message that gay people arer "less than" other citizens. Are you listening Governors, Mayors, and City Council members? The blood of Matthew Shepard is on your hands.

And I am angry at the people who are suppose to take care of our youth. Why don't more school districts have programs for gay and lesbian youth? Or even non-harrassment policies that include queer youth? Don't they realize that there are a lot of Matthew Shepards in their schools who need their hlep and protection? Are you listening school board members, principals, and teachers? The blood of Matthew Shepard is on your hands.

And I am angry that some people are just now starting to get angry.

Where was the outcry when two lesbians were shot in the back of their pickup in Oregon, or when the gay soldier was bludgeoned to death in Japan, or the two lesbians were shot on the Appalachian Trail?

But most of all, I am angry because I know there will be many more Matthew Shepards.

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