Equality NC again calls on the legislature to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the state's already existing hate crime law after a bias-motivated attack on two young women in Boone. The Safer Communities Act would expand current legislation to include hate crimes based on real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.
More details are below, but there are two ways you can take action and make a difference.
1) First, if you're in the Boone area this Friday, March 2, please attend a community forum from 6:30-8:30 pm in the Blue Ridge Ballroom of Appalachian State University's Student Union. The two women involved in the assault are confirmed to speak, and Equality NC and The Coalition to Protect All NC Families will also be there.
2) The second action you can take is to help these women in their grassroots efforts to expand current hate crime protections. For more information and to sign their the petition, visit their Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/events/328904423812343/
... and petition:
change.org/petitions/amend-nc-hate-crime-laws.
Here is what we understand has happened: On February 11, Erin Johnston and Sarah Nordstrom, a junior at ASU, were at a fast food restaurant where they were verbally harassed with anti-gay slurs by one male and two females, apparently based on a perception of their sexual orientation.
The three individuals followed the two women home where the male committed physical assault. Nordstrom was hit repeatedly in the face. When Johnston tried to call the police the man attacked her from behind, knocked her to the ground, and kicked and stomped her. Nordstrom had extensive injuries including a broken eye socket, a broken nasal cavity, and a broken cheekbone. Johnston’s injuries included two fractured ribs, a torn meniscus and bleeding in her left jaw, and torn cartilage in the nose. Neither woman knew the attackers before this hate-based attack.
Equality NC continues to lobby the legislature to pass the Safer Communities Act, which would add LGBT protections to the current hate crime statute. The two women who were attacked have started a petition to change current hate crime laws. At present, bias crimes based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity are not considered hate crimes in North Carolina.
The attacker has been arrested. You can read more about the attack and arrest at:
http://www.theappalachianonline.com/community/8575-arrest-made-in-assault-investigation
... and you can learn about student response and action at:
http://www.theappalachianonline.com/community/8600-after-assault-students-petition-nc-legislature
The FBI collects data on all bias crimes, which will be useful in ultimately creating more inclusive legislation. Anyone who is the victim of a hate crime, including those based on real or perceived sexual orientation and gender identity, should report the attack to the FBI. Reporting incidents to the FBI is a necessary step to ensure accurate statistical data, proper law enforcement, and ultimate justice for all victims of hate crimes. All NC counties are covered by the FBI Field Office at Charlotte (http://charlotte.fbi.gov/). You can contact them directly at (704) 377-9200 or Charlotte.public@ic.fbi.gov.
The proposed Amendment One on the May 8 primary ballot would perpetuate an environment where LGBT citizens have fewer rights and are treated as less than equal to other citizens, which contributes to an atmosphere of intolerance and violence. This amendment would also invalidate domestic violence protections. This amendment is harmful to all NC citizens and families. Please help The Coalition to Protect All NC Families educate the public on the harms of this proposed amendment, and help these two women and Equality NC educate the public and the legislature on the need to include LGBT protections in already-existing hate crime laws.
Working together, we will move North Carolina towards a state of equality for all of its residents and families.
For Equality,
T. Shawn Long
Vote on AGAINST Amendment One on May 8, 2012. Did you know this so-called 'marriage' amendment invalidates domestic violence laws and child custody agreements? It affects =all= unmarried couples, gay or straight, and will prevent domestic partner benefits and can be used to challenge wills and powers of attorney. It's a far-reaching and extreme change to our state's founding document. For more information, go to:
===> http://www.protectncfamilies.org/
===> http://www.racetotheballot.com/
T. Shawn Long, Administrative Coordinator, Equality NC
PO Box 28768 * Raleigh, NC 27611
(919) 829-0343 x114 office * fax (919) 827-4573
shawn@equalitync.org * www.equalitync.org
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