The Homo Politico

Community leaders, family, friends, and LGBT activists gathered yesterday at an emotional vigil to honor the life of 17-year-old gay teenager, Simmie Williams Jr, at the spot where he was murdered last week in what many consider a hate-crime.  Among the group of community leaders, Williams’ mom, Denise King, stood with a picture of Simmie in her hands.

The group also gathered to bring attention to the attack on Melbourne Brunner, who was severely beaten Saturday outside the Floridian, a popular, gay-friendly diner, by a man shouting anti-gay slurs at him and his partner, such as “you know what I do to faggots? I break their necks.”

Many in the LGBT community see these events as a very unsettling trend in South Florida, which has created an atmosphere of intolerance and fear in South Florida.

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I am very disturbed with the recent string of anti-gay crimes in Broward County, Florida, home of Fort Lauderdale.  First, there was the senseless murder of 17 year-old Simmie Williams Jr, which Police are investigating as a possible hate crime based on his sexual orientation or gender identity.  Then, a gay couple was brutally attacked and gay-bashed in the popular tourist area of Las Olas Blvd while having anti-gay slurs screamed at them.

These events point to a very unsettling trend in South Florida.  There seems to be an atmosphere of intolerance being created in South Florida.  I cannot help but see the connection between the virulent anti-gay rhetoric of people like Mayor Jim Naugle and the Florida4Marriage group and wonder if their continued demonization of the LGBT community is leading to this increase in anti-gay violence.  The dangerous, hate-filled words of these people have inflamed violence against innocent members of our community and must not go unchallenged.

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It’s a really a move that should surprise no one.  Toilet-crazy, gay-hating Mayor Jim Naugle of Fort Lauderdale has endorsed Mike Huckabee for President.

Sigh.  It’s like two gay-bashing peas in a pod.

I actually have a sneaking suspicion that Naugle is just Huckabee in a fat suit.  They seem to be preaching the same message and I never see them in the same place at the same time.  It kind of makes you wonder…

Also posted on The Bilerico Project.

It seems the current buzz word in politics this election cycle is change.  Presidential candidates from both parties are rolling out the message of change and hope, energizing the electorate.  The voter turnouts and new registrations across the country are the biggest in years, especially among young voters.

I will admit it.  I have been bitten by the “change and hope” bug.  So please indulge me a bit and let me do a positive post (for once) about where my home state of Florida might be heading.

I actually think that 2008 looks to be a year where LGBT people can hope for a better state, as well as better representation and rights for our community.

I hear the scoffing already.  After a disastrous year for LGBT Floridians in 2007, how can there be any hope for this too often red state?   Let’s take a look…

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